The Casey Anthony trial has prompted tremendous curiosity. Stories about her apparent lack of concern over Caylee's disappearance inflamed our sensibilities and led people to judge her - just what kind of mother behaves this way?
There's a risk, though, to pointing our fingers at other so called "bad" parents. Focusing on their problems can lead to minimizing our own. Most of us admit to a certain amount of everyday anger. But we avoid confronting the deeper feelings, the ones that keep us up at night.The Anthony case, and others that periodically dominate the news, center on parents who have completely lost their way. After every tragedy we wonder: How could something like this possibly happen? This response is problematic too because as long as the question remains unfathomable, we can avoid thinking about it seriously.
The truth is we hear about families and children in crisis practically every day. We read about parents who hurt their children and about kids who are violent. To help them deal with their emotions, doctors prescribe antidepressants to kids and parents who are overwhelmed by how they feel and at a loss as to what do about it. Over-eating, under-eating, and addictions of varying kinds have become common but unhealthy ways to cope.
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