Oh yeah, kids can be incredibly mean. Ever read Lord of the Flies?

What's new is that now the angry and alienated can go to town with an AR-15.

@Flyingsaucesir True. And I loved Lord of the Flies. Although I don't know if it's theme is true because of nature or nurture. Perhaps limited resources.

@Flyingsaucesir When my oldest came out as a transgender male I was so worried for this very reason. I knew females did terrible things but I remember when I grew up weakness was unforgivable. I talked with him about it and expressed my concerns and he didn't believe boys were really like that. I have since come to realize that they are a lot less like that now. Or maybe it was just where I grew up and the poverty, I don't know. Of course I respected him and supported him, I was just very worried that, in being seen as a male in a male crowd he might wind up neurotic or cruel. I remember secretly hating the hazing, but I knew that if I spoke up I would become the target. And I kept imagining him in that. Thankfully I seem to have been worried about nothing. I have so much more hope for the generation now in their 20s. If we can manage to leave a world left by the time they are in charge.