“Tragedy’s sobering lesson: Love may not win” [Editorial, March 31] captured the deep grief and sense of futility that so many of us feel in the wake of Jeremy Richman’s suicide.
Many of the Sandy Hook families have concluded that love is the only true remedy to curb violence, while Jeremy believed that violence was a disease of the brain. Both are true, and Jeremy understood that.
Science tells us that love does win. Positive and loving parenting in early childhood is the most important crucible for developing healthy brain architecture. Children brought up with safe, stable and loving care, especially during the first five years of life, have a much better prospect for living happy, healthy and productive lives.
The best way to reduce violence and crime is for the community to develop policies and practices that support positive parenting and eliminate widespread childhood adversity and neglect.
James C. Malley, Farmington
The writer is associate professor emeritus of the Department of Counselor Education & Family Therapy at Central Connecticut State University.
