Failed parent here: I raised 2 boys. I divorced when they were 6 and 3. I got full custody. I was young, emotionally immature, and in the prime of my physical life. I had many female options, and I utilized these options on the nightly to selfishly drown the pain of the failure of my life. This had the unforeseen (to my stupid ass) consequences of many different women coming in and out of my kids life, fucking up their family stability, bonding ability.. you get the point. Fast forward 5 years.. my boys are 11 and 8. I now have a good woman that my kids won't bond with because they've seen so many come and go. My oldest is exhibiting signs of aggression, disobedience, etc. and instead of tackling the underlying issues (still too selfish to know what they were), I heap on the discipline. Another 5 years: They're 16 and 13. My 13 year old lives online, and I let him because my selfish ass didn't have to engage him. My oldest is smoking weed, failing school, and learning manhood from his friends on the street, because his father is still living a selfish life cycle, and never truly engaging with his kids. My kids are grown now, and I'm a grandpa. My oldest is 23, currently awaiting trial for aggravated threat of harm on the children's mother, and my youngest is obese, still lives online, and can't cope with basic life hiccups. I fucked up. I know I've fucked up. I'm doing my best with my children, now, though. I offer my oldest advice, send him literature to help him get his mentality on the right track. My youngest I spend time with. He attends church with me, and we share meals. These opportunities give me a chance to put the 'right' info into him. I can't answer why all bad parents are the way they are, but this is the reason I was/am......