Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition, September 18, 1999
In the past, saying "That person is sharp" ("Ano hito wa kireru") meant they were highly competent at their job. Nowadays, "kireru" refers to someone losing their composure and suddenly acting irrationally. It’s like an alcohol-free version of a drunken outburst.
For instance, when a parent eagerly builds a tower or a house out of building blocks, a child might suddenly destroy everything. This kind of destructive, impulsive behavior is a characteristic of early childhood development.
In both Japan and the U.S., violent crimes committed by minors—such as mass shootings and knife attacks—have become a serious concern. However, simply amending juvenile law to impose adult-like penalties does not seem to be a real solution.
Even adults who appear calm and rational while criticizing "snapping" children can themselves be guilty of child or spousal abuse. The 1997 film Bad Day on the Block (starring Charlie Sheen) depicted a brave, model firefighter who, on a particularly hot day, became furious over noisy children playing in a neighbor’s yard. This initial irritation spiraled into a full-blown meltdown.
At first, he only shouted, "Let me take care of your kids—I’ll teach them proper discipline!" But as his own past divorce came to mind, he began resenting his neighbors' happy family life, leading him to kill even the police officer who came to intervene.
Michael Douglas also portrayed a man who "snapped" in Falling Down (1993). His character was divorced, unemployed, and, after getting stuck in a massive traffic jam, reached his breaking point. Leaving his car in the middle of the congestion, he embarked on a violent spree, acquiring increasingly powerful weapons along the way—eventually even firing a bazooka. His final goal? To see his ex-wife and child.
It’s not just children who "snap" easily. The difference is that adults have the ability to reflect on those moments later. What triggered their loss of patience? What were the underlying factors?
Perhaps, in understanding "easily triggered" children, we need to start by examining such questions.
Comentarios