According to Eric Fromm, in his book Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, some humans are malignantly aggressive. There actually exists an intent to hurt someone else, and the act can provide enjoyment. This is not innate behavior; it becomes worse when there are pressures that cause increased frustration and anger. This behavior can be seen in younger children when they have tantrums. It can also be witnessed in adolescents, because they are looking for a sense of identity and completeness, and there may be barriers keeping them from reaching this goal. Or, as Fromm states, "Man's capacity for self-awareness...requires a picture of the world and of his place in it that is structured and has inner cohesion" (259)
             One of the precipitating factors leading to aggressive behavior in youth is boredom. Some students will just turn their minds off, others will suffer from depression or turn to drugs, and some will become destructive. Unfortunately, many do not appear to be bored or depressed. They adapt themselves to their environment and appear happy. Or, they come to the attention of the authorities, because of a variety of criminal acts.
             Fromm states that the boredom-compensating consumption offered by the normal channels of the present-day culture does not fulfill a proper function. This, unfortunately, is true in educational settings, as well. Especially now with such an emphasis placed on testing, it is difficult, to be challenged. As Fromm states, "...the whole person, and particularly his deeper feeling, his imagination, his reason, in short all his essential facilities and psychic potentialities remain untouched; they are not brought to life...The person continues to feel empty..." (275).
             Each child has a different center, a different character and uniqueness. Too often, that individuality is squelched in a public school setting where the teacher does not have enough time to spend with each student ...