Normal development arises from a positive social environment that Kuklinski did not have. In addition to the physical abuse, there are no stories of positive social situations in his family, at school or otherwise.

When exposed to a real Christmas after marrying, he expressed his amazement. He did not know how wonderful and loving Christmas could actually be. He had deviant parental models; he grew up in a family without love and with constant abuse. When all you have is hatred, it makes it hard to have constant relationships.

His father would often disappear for months at a time. Any possible positive attachment to his father would have been canceled by his father’s intermittent absence. Likewise his mother would often work long hours as a meat packer, having little time to spend at home.

Thus inconsistent care and contact is evident. Also, as previously mentioned, Kuklinski developed a diminished emotional response as a result of physical abuse and a negative social environment. In order to cope with the extensive abuse and his father’s leaving, Kuklinski simply shut out all emotions in general, and fear, love, and loneliness in specific.

Serial killers share many important personality traits, traits that are formed through the adversity of their upbringing. Richard Kuklinski was a child raised in social isolation. He grew up an only child until age ten. His father, an abusive alcoholic often disappeared for months, even years at a time.

His mother also abandoned Richard. To make ends meet, she worked long hours. In the few hours spent with Richard she abused him both physically and verbally. Richard says “she put in so many hours at the Armour meat plant she hardly had time to beat her kids.” Richard grew up alone, wandering the streets of Jersey City. He had no cohesive family unit.

He recalls walking the streets alone, not belonging to any of the local gangs, having no friends. As an adult this life of social isolation continued. He had business associates that he did jobs with. There was no friendship or support network involved. It was all about money. His wife and three children were his only social connection, which is more than most serial killers ever have.

Richard was able to maintain a surface relationship and a family, who knew nothing about his real self for over twenty five years.