At what point should someones past no longer be an excuse?

Question

I hear it all the time, "He had a rough childhood" or something along those lines. It seems everyone has become a self proclaimed psychiatrist and we make excuses for others by blaming mistakes on their past. At what point do you think someone's past or childhood no longer has any bearing on their actions? I know everyone is different, but can you really excuse a cheating spouse by saying they had a rough childhood? Or an armed gunman because his parents didn't discipline him? what are your opinions?

Hypothetical question by the way.

Xingen · Accepted Answer

When one becomes a reasoning, thinking adult, their childhood is no longer a reason for bad behavior. They are choosing bad behavior and using trauma or circumstances from their past as an excuse.  I had a good childhood, but my Dad died when I was 15.  I did not use this as an excuse to act out or do stupid things.

If someone is truly affected by events they cannot cope with, they need to go to a councilor to get help.

Anonymous · Answer

Sometimes a persons past will always bear some responsability to their actions. I would not say that means it can be used as an excuse, because once something can be used as an excuse it means your aware of the fact, what ever it may be. If one is aware that something from their past is the cause of their problems then they should be thinking of how to improve, not go around continuing the same mistakes only this time with an excuse.

Anonymous · Answer

your childhood affects you for life, that's why it's so important to bring up children properly in good, loving environments.

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At what point should someones past no longer be an excuse?

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