Two babies are born moments apart. Born naked, exposed, innocent without status, religion, or criminal record. One grows up to be a nice, responsible, and caring human being. The other is a sex offender, a person dreaded and hated by society.
Neither of them, though, was born with those titles. Thus, the question that we alone can rightfully ask, honestly and compassionately is not what is wrong with them but what is happened to them? This will not be an excuse for violence.
This will not heal the wounds of the victims nor remove the guilt of the perpetrators. But if we are prepared to change the world, to have fewer victims and better horizons. we need to look more deeply. We need to inspect the roots, and not merely the rotten fruits.
The Human Blueprint
Every child is born with a brain that’s wired to learn. That learning doesn’t begin in school; it begins in the cradle, in the sound of the parent’s voice, in the way a caregiver holds them, in the safety—or danger—of that first home. Science shows that environment early in life determines how a child’s brain will develop. That includes how they bond with people, how they deal with emotions, and even how they learn right from wrong.
Developmental psychology would inform us that kids provided with steady, loving care would likely grow into emotionally stable and socially responsible adults. Kids raised in violent, abusive, or neglectful households, however, may learn different things; things of fear, control, survival, and domination. That which later manifests as “predatory behavior” may initially have been a learned coping skill, means of control, or even self-protection.
It Starts Small
No one wakes up one morning and says, “I am going to be a predator.” It starts small. It starts in the things they see, hear, and feel. A boy who has watched his father hit his mother with no consequences might learn that power is respect. A girl who is constantly objectified might believe that her value lies in the way she looks. A bullied high school student who is never heard might begin to believe that control is the only power. And all these little things, if not stopped, build up to a storm.
Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory well describes this phenomenon: people acquire behavior by learning from others. If they notice that aggression is rewarded, or risky behavior goes unpunished, they’ll copy it. And when authorities like schools, families, or the legal system stay quiet, that silence will be taken as a green light.
Society Plays a Role
It is simple to say “they decided to be that way.” Choices do not build themselves, though. Choices are formed by what is present by what one knows, thinks, and feels. In cultures where gender imbalance is typical, where victim-blaming occurs, and where emotional well-being is ignored, predators are not just made they are silently supported.
We must look at mental health as well. Studies show that people who act out in destructive ways typically have unresolved trauma, emotional numbing, or skewed views of themselves and others. This does not mean all mentally ill people are dangerous in any way. It does mean that unhealed hurts, especially those that form in childhood can become infected and erupt in ugly ways.
From Child to Predator: A Developmental Journey
The development from innocent child into sexual predator is complex, painful, and deeply human. It may involve: Neglect or abuse in early years, Lack of emotional support or guidance, Exposure to harmful role models, Unaddressed trauma or bullying, Peer pressure and toxic masculinity, Misunderstanding of consent and boundaries and Cultural silence or normalization of harassment.
Each step adds another level, little by little pushing the child further away from empathy, respect, and affection. And in the emotional distance, others become objects; not human beings. That’s the actual risk.
Returning to Humanity
So, what can we do? First, we must seek out the human behind the behavior, not to justify, but to understand. Second, we must invest in early intervention: parenting classes, trauma-informed schools, mental health services, and teaching empathy from the youngest age. Third, we must break the silence. When communities speak out, when institutions react, when victims are heard, we begin to build a culture where respect replaces domination. It is time we abandoned the idea that some people are “just born bad.” That’s a myth that keeps us from doing the hard work of change. It numbs us. But when we have hope and accountability, we find the path to healing.
Final Thoughts: We Are All Born Human
Every predator was once a child. Every criminal was once innocent. That fact doesn’t erase pain. It increases our responsibility. The line between victim and perpetrator may not always be clear, but the path to prevention is. In order to change the future, we need to start with the child not just by punishing the adult. Because nobody is born a monster. They become monsters when the world rememorates to forget and instruct them how to be human.
And the answer isn’t fear. It’s empathy, education, accountability, and love. Because at the end of the day we’re all born human. Let’s work to keep it that way.
