I opened my local library web page and found this book front and center. Before I comment I must disclose that I have not read the book in its entirety. I did find an online copy that I perused but for the purpose of this article I am looking primarily at the tittle. You can see the book online at the following link; http://books.google.com/books?id=FD0R1WP4XOkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=why+good+kids+act+cruel&source=bl&ots=o48BJogyPb&sig=UFULCka-5TjYnSrdpy7Hct8nZPc&hl=en&ei=Uh2AS9HrLseBnQfQg4m-Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=&f=falseWhy Good Kids Act Cruel. The title assumes that there are good kids. That is interesting because I don't know any "good" kids, not even my own. Scripture says that ALL have sinned and were born short of the glory of God. We are all sinners because of Adam's sin. (Romans 5:12, 13, 14,15,16,17,18,19). We are all sinners because we are in rebellion to God. (Romans 1: versus 8-31) Scripture also tells us that we are lost because of our ignorance and unbelief in 1 Timothy 1:13. As a parent it would be so much easier if our kids were "good". They are not. They are sinners, born with a sin nature due to Adam, rebellious, ignorant and full of unbelief. Good is not a word I would use to describe any human being who has not been redeemed through the blood of Christ.
When they say "good" kids they are just referring to their behavior. They want well behaved children as defined by the absence of things that they consider morally wrong such as bullying, name calling, and exclusion. This is where the worldviews divide. From their socialistic perspective this can be accomplished simply by limiting the bad behavior and encouraging the good behavior. From a Christian perspective we know that the definition of good is God himself. God does not act good, he IS good. If our children do not first know Christ then there is no good in them, nor can there be any good in them no matter how they behave. These children are not just "acting" cruel as if they are pretending or are really not cruel. The reality is that they are cruel. They are revealing their sin nature.
The book seems to be geared primarily towards middle school children in a school environment. It is interesting that they have a problem with the children behaving in such a manner as it is the natural extension of the worldview that is taught in the schools. According to the school, these children are accidents that evolved out of the muck and mire. They have no purpose and no higher accountability. It is survival of the strong. In this case the strong being those who are able to bully others so that they are in the top of the social stratus. The very environment that they have placed the children in encourages these behaviors. The myth of socialization comes into play here. Socialization is the ongoing act of of acquiring personal identity and learns the norms, values, behaviors, and social skills. Put thirty children together to be socialized and they learn the values, behaviors, and social skills of the other thirty children. Congratulations, you have successfully socialized "good kids who act cruel".
