On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz, a former pupil at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in Parkland, Florida, opened hearth on his classmates and academics, killing 17 folks and injuring 17 others. The bloodbath despatched shockwaves throughout the nation and sparked renewed debate about gun management and college security. Within the aftermath of the tragedy, a lot consideration has been centered on Cruz’s household and upbringing, and the function they might have performed in his actions.
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, have been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the US and had two youngsters collectively, Nikolas and Zachary. Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. The household lived in a modest residence in Broward County, Florida. In accordance with neighbors and acquaintances, the Cruz household appeared to be a typical working-class household. They have been pleasant and concerned of their group. Nonetheless, there have been some indicators of hassle behind the scenes.
As Nikolas Cruz grew older, he started to exhibit behavioral issues. He was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) and was prescribed medicine. He additionally struggled with melancholy and had a historical past of self-harm. In center faculty, Cruz was suspended for preventing and making threats towards different college students. His conduct turned more and more erratic, and he was ultimately expelled from highschool.
nick cruz mother and father
Troubled upbringing, historical past of psychological sickness.
- Immigrants from Cuba
- Working-class household
- Indicators of hassle in childhood
- Behavioral issues, ADHD, melancholy
- Historical past of violence, expelled from faculty
Dad and mom’ function in son’s actions nonetheless underneath investigation.
Immigrants from Cuba
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, have been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the US and had two youngsters collectively, Nikolas and Zachary. Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. The household lived in a modest residence in Broward County, Florida.
Lynda Cruz was born in Cuba in 1959. She got here to the US in 1970 together with her mother and father and siblings. She settled in New Jersey, the place she met Roger Cruz, who was additionally from Cuba. They married in 1980 and had two youngsters, Nikolas and Zachary. The household moved to Florida in 1993.
Roger Cruz was born in Cuba in 1957. He got here to the US in 1974 along with his mother and father and siblings. He settled in New Jersey, the place he met Lynda Cruz. After they married, the couple moved to Florida, the place they raised their two sons.
Lynda and Roger Cruz have been each hard-working immigrants who tried to offer life for his or her youngsters. Nonetheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, and so they struggled to make ends meet. Additionally they needed to cope with the challenges of elevating youngsters in a brand new nation, the place they didn’t have household or mates to assist them.
Regardless of the challenges they confronted, Lynda and Roger Cruz have been decided to offer their youngsters a greater life than they’d. They labored arduous to offer for his or her household, and so they instilled of their youngsters the significance of training and arduous work. Nonetheless, their son Nikolas struggled with psychological well being points and behavioral issues, and he ultimately dedicated a horrific act of violence.
Working-class household
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda and Roger Cruz, have been each hard-working immigrants who tried to offer life for his or her youngsters. Nonetheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, and so they struggled to make ends meet.
- Low-paying jobs: Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. These are each jobs that sometimes pay low wages.
- Lengthy hours: Each Lynda and Roger Cruz labored lengthy hours to attempt to make ends meet. They usually labored greater than 40 hours per week, and so they typically needed to work a number of jobs.
- Monetary struggles: Regardless of working lengthy hours, the Cruz household struggled to make ends meet. They lived in a modest residence in a working-class neighborhood, and so they usually needed to go with out primary requirements.
- Lack of help: The Cruz household didn’t have any household or mates in Florida to assist them. They have been remoted and alone, and so they needed to depend on their very own assets to get by.
The Cruz household’s monetary struggles and lack of help doubtless contributed to Nikolas Cruz’s psychological well being issues and behavioral points. He grew up in a house the place there was lots of stress and stress, and he didn’t have the assets he wanted to get the assistance he wanted.
Indicators of hassle in childhood
There have been a number of indicators of hassle in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood which will have indicated that he wanted assist. These indicators included:
Behavioral issues: Nikolas Cruz was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) at a younger age. He was additionally suspended from faculty for preventing and making threats towards different college students. His conduct turned more and more erratic and aggressive as he obtained older.
Psychological well being issues: Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with psychological well being issues, together with melancholy and anxiousness. He was prescribed medicine for these situations, however he usually refused to take it. He additionally engaged in self-harm, equivalent to reducing himself.
Social isolation: Nikolas Cruz was a loner who had few mates. He spent most of his time alone, taking part in video video games or watching violent motion pictures. He was additionally bullied by different college students in school, which made him really feel much more remoted and alone.
Household issues: Nikolas Cruz’s household life was additionally troubled. His mother and father have been divorced, and he had a strained relationship with each of them. He additionally had a historical past of violence in his household. His father had been arrested for home violence, and his brother had been arrested for assault.
The indicators of hassle in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood have been clear, however they have been ignored or downplayed by those that have been supposed to assist him. In consequence, he fell by means of the cracks and was not given the assistance he wanted to stop him from committing a horrific act of violence.
Behavioral issues, ADHD, melancholy
Nikolas Cruz exhibited quite a lot of behavioral issues from a younger age. He was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) on the age of seven. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental dysfunction characterised by issue paying consideration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Youngsters with ADHD usually have issue controlling their conduct, and so they could also be extra more likely to interact in aggressive or disruptive conduct.
Along with ADHD, Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with melancholy. He was prescribed medicine for melancholy, however he usually refused to take it. Melancholy is a severe psychological sickness that may trigger emotions of disappointment, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Individuals with melancholy might also have issue sleeping, consuming, and concentrating.
Nikolas Cruz’s behavioral issues and psychological well being points made it troublesome for him to achieve faculty. He was suspended from faculty a number of occasions for preventing and making threats towards different college students. He was additionally disruptive in school, and he usually refused to do his schoolwork. Because of his behavioral issues, Nikolas Cruz was ultimately expelled from faculty.
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father have been conscious of his behavioral issues and psychological well being points. They took him to see quite a lot of medical doctors and therapists, however they have been unable to discover a resolution that labored. Nikolas Cruz’s conduct turned more and more erratic and aggressive, and he ultimately dedicated a horrific act of violence.
Nikolas Cruz’s case is a tragic instance of how untreated psychological well being points and behavioral issues can result in violence. It is very important search assist for youngsters who’re battling these points, and to offer them with the help and assets they should get higher.
Historical past of violence, expelled from faculty
Nikolas Cruz had a historical past of violence and aggressive conduct, each at residence and in school. He was suspended from faculty a number of occasions for preventing and making threats towards different college students.
- Combating: Nikolas Cruz was concerned in quite a few fights in school. He was usually the aggressor, and he would usually begin fights for no obvious cause. He additionally had a historical past of bullying different college students.
- Threats: Nikolas Cruz made quite a few threats towards different college students and college workers. He threatened to kill college students, academics, and directors. He additionally made threats of violence on social media.
- Weapons: Nikolas Cruz had a fascination with weapons. He collected knives and weapons, and he usually made threats to make use of them towards others. He additionally posted footage of himself on social media holding weapons.
- Expulsion: Nikolas Cruz’s conduct turned so disruptive and violent that he was ultimately expelled from faculty. He was expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in 2017, after he was arrested for bringing a knife to highschool.
Regardless of his historical past of violence and aggressive conduct, Nikolas Cruz was not supplied with the assistance he wanted to deal with his issues. He was by no means evaluated by a psychological well being skilled, and he was not given any counseling or remedy. In consequence, he was capable of proceed his violent conduct, which ultimately culminated within the tragic capturing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty.
FAQ
In case you are a guardian, you could have questions on methods to forestall your youngster from changing into violent or participating in dangerous conduct. Listed here are some ceaselessly requested questions and solutions:
Query 1: How can I determine if my youngster is battling psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 1: There are various indicators which will point out that your youngster is battling psychological well being points or behavioral issues. These indicators can embody adjustments in temper, conduct, or sleeping patterns. Your youngster might also begin to withdraw from family and friends, or they might begin to interact in dangerous or damaging behaviors.
Query 2: What ought to I do if I believe my youngster is battling psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 2: If you happen to assume your youngster is battling psychological well being points or behavioral issues, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. Discuss to your kid’s physician or psychological well being skilled. They’ll consider your youngster and suggest the perfect course of therapy.
Query 3: How can I assist my youngster deal with stress and troublesome feelings?
Reply 3: There are various issues you are able to do to assist your youngster deal with stress and troublesome feelings. Discuss to your youngster about their emotions and assist them to grasp that it’s okay to really feel unhappy, offended, or scared. You may as well educate your youngster wholesome coping mechanisms, equivalent to train, leisure strategies, and spending time in nature.
Query 4: How can I set limits and bounds for my youngster?
Reply 4: Setting limits and bounds is a vital a part of parenting. It helps your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it will possibly additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and bounds, be clear, constant, and agency. Remember to clarify to your youngster why the bounds and bounds are necessary.
Query 5: How can I speak to my youngster about violence and weapons?
Reply 5: Speaking to your youngster about violence and weapons generally is a troublesome dialog, but it surely is a vital one to have. Discuss to your youngster in regards to the risks of violence and weapons and clarify to them why you will need to steer clear of them. You may as well speak to your youngster in regards to the significance of looking for assist if they’re feeling offended or violent.
Query 6: How can I become involved in my kid’s faculty and group?
Reply 6: Getting concerned in your kid’s faculty and group is an effective way to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on in your kid’s life and to point out your youngster that you just care about them. You may volunteer at your kid’s faculty, be a part of a parent-teacher group, or attend group occasions.
Bear in mind, you aren’t alone. There are various assets and help teams obtainable to oldsters who’re struggling to lift youngsters with psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Attain out for assist when you want it.
Along with the FAQ part above, listed below are some further ideas for folks:
Ideas
Along with looking for skilled assist, there are a variety of issues that oldsters can do to assist their youngsters who’re battling psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Listed here are 4 sensible ideas:
Tip 1: Discuss to your youngster.
One of the necessary issues you are able to do is to speak to your youngster about their emotions and experiences. Allow them to know that you’re there for them and that you’re prepared to pay attention. Be affected person and understanding, and attempt to see issues from their perspective.
Tip 2: Set limits and bounds.
Setting limits and bounds is a vital a part of parenting. It helps your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it will possibly additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and bounds, be clear, constant, and agency. Remember to clarify to your youngster why the bounds and bounds are necessary.
Tip 3: Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms.
Educate your youngster wholesome coping mechanisms that they’ll use to cope with stress and troublesome feelings. This might embody issues like train, leisure strategies, spending time in nature, or speaking to a trusted pal or member of the family.
Tip 4: Get entangled in your kid’s life.
Get entangled in your kid’s faculty and group. Attend faculty occasions, volunteer, and speak to your kid’s academics and different adults who’re concerned of their life. This can aid you to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on together with your youngster and it’ll additionally present them that you just care about them.
Bear in mind, parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues will be difficult, however you will need to keep in mind that you’re not alone. There are various assets and help teams obtainable to oldsters who’re struggling. Attain out for assist when you want it.
In case you are involved about your kid’s psychological well being or conduct, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. A psychological well being skilled can consider your youngster and suggest the perfect course of therapy.
Conclusion
Dad and mom play a significant function within the lives of their youngsters. They’re their first academics, their function fashions, and their supply of unconditional love and help. Nonetheless, parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues generally is a difficult and overwhelming expertise.
In case you are a guardian of a kid who’s struggling, you will need to keep in mind that you’re not alone. There are various assets and help teams obtainable that can assist you. Attain out for assist when you want it. There isn’t a disgrace in asking for assist. Actually, it’s the neatest thing you are able to do on your youngster.
Listed here are some key factors to recollect:
- Discuss to your youngster. Allow them to know that you’re there for them and that you’re prepared to pay attention.
- Set limits and bounds. This can assist your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it will possibly additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors.
- Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms. Educate your youngster wholesome methods to cope with stress and troublesome feelings.
- Get entangled in your kid’s life. Attend faculty occasions, volunteer, and speak to your kid’s academics and different adults who’re concerned of their life.
- Search skilled assist. In case you are involved about your kid’s psychological well being or conduct, you will need to search skilled assist instantly.
Parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues is just not simple, however it’s attainable to lift a contented, wholesome, and profitable youngster. With the precise help and assets, you’ll be able to assist your youngster to beat their challenges and attain their full potential.
