Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-25036236-20140616230141/@comment-25558572-20140618012958

I don't understand why so many creepypastas try to use 'bad parenting' as a cause for insanity for a number of reasons.

1. It just feels wrong to me personally. I've experienced family tumoil and it really fucking sucks, especially if you're old enough to understand what's happening, but still too young to really do anything about it. I really don't think people should use parental mistreatment in their stories at all unless they've either experienced it themselves or are close to someone who has. And if you're going to use it, don't take it lightly. It's a serious issue and it pisses me off when people treat it like some novelty.

2. Most people will not go insane over it. Yes, it will have a severe impact on the child's (or children's) lives as a whole and stunt their emotional growth, maturity and self-esteem, but it won't instantly turn a seventeen-year-old girl into a bloodthirsty stabber.

3. And 'insanity' does not equal 'bloodlust'. An insane person has any number of emotional and mental distortions and problems. They hear voices, they self-mutilate, they have a distorted perception of the world. Yes, insane people are dangerous in some instances, but they definitely have more to them than just a mad desire to stab their mom/dad/brother/sister/best friend to death on the spot.

This all doesn't mean you should never use bad parenting; just remember that it's a sensitive and complex topic that needs a lot of thought and consideration. It's also rapidly becoming a cliche, especially in the format used here. I would advise using some other mechanism to torment a character.