Kolkata: The timing and manner of informing an adopted child that she/he is not the biological child of her/his parents are crucial, according to psychologists. This consideration has gained attention in the light of a case, where a 14-year-old girl planned the murder of her 54-year-old mother along with her 17-year-old boyfriend. This incident has also sparked discussions about the psychology behind juvenile crime and the dynamics of the victim-offender relationship.
Psychologists suggest that this case may be more complex than other juvenile crimes due to the issue of adoption. “Children process the fact of being adopted in various ways, and how the information is presented to them is key. Many feel relieved, but some may react negatively,” said psychiatrist Sabyasachi Mitra. “Children can start revolting, become withdrawn, or feel unwanted. It's possible that this disclosure affected her.”
In the backdrop of the Behala case, Amit Bhattacharya, director of the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) at SSKM Hospital, said: “In many such cases, the offender has psychological issues, such as schizophrenia and depression. These crimes often stem from pent-up aggression.”
Mental health activist and founder of Anjali, Ratnaboli Ray, said: “Often, in cases like this, the roles of victim and offender overlap, making the relationship highly complex. Without insight into the girl’s childhood, it's hard to determine specifics. It has also been noticed that children often become offenders after experiencing victimization during their formative years.”
Children in some such cases may believe violence is the only way to end their suffering due to inadequate coping strategies. “For them, violence becomes a means to cope and escape,” Ray explained.
Psychiatrist Sabyasachi Mitra added, “Such crimes against nature might indicate an undiagnosed mental illness or a psychopathic personality trend in the child.”