The Development Of Antisocial Behavior In Children

The United States spends a very large sum of money to maintain the juvenile justice system each year, but money is not the only cost at hand. This article describes a study done to demonstrate the development of antisocial behavior in children and is observed through adolescence. The model supports a theory linking antisocial behavior and chronic delinquency. Through a series of developmental steps, psychologists use this model to test reactions from environmental factors (social situations) in order to predict and understand this social problem in hopes to prevent this pattern.
One factor contributing to antisocial behavior in children is family relationships, which are explained in two perspectives. The first suggests that harsh, inconsistent

discipline, lack of supervision, and poor parent-child bonding has been proven to leave children with a lack of control in their lives. Young people that have trouble in school, in the workplace, and issues with authority tend to be more antisocial, but it does not prove the sole cause for these behaviors. The second perspective suggest that family members train children to be antisocial as a means of control, eventually this pattern escalates and the child projects these behaviors back on the family members that result in deviance.
As a result of these childhood behaviors, the article states that two sets of reactions are likely to be produced. Antisocial children tend to demonstrate poor academic achievement. Studies show that noncompliant and uncontrolled behaviors are direct detriments to learning. Also, studies show that aggressive behavior leads to rejection by the “normal” peer group, which contribute to antisocial tendencies. Contrary to popular belief, academic failure and peer rejection are not causes but effects of antisocialism.
The latter factors are shown to increase the likelihood of antisocial children joining peer groups that act in deviant ways. Acceptance in deviant peer groups give a sense of belonging the child was deprived of at home. Positive responses to deviant behavior and rejection for social conforming behavior push children to further involvement in deviant acts.
Studies show that chronic offenders are more likely to have started in childhood or early adolescence. These children are more likely to show the signs of antisocial development than kids with first offenses in later childhood stages. Despite this, statistics show that only half of antisocial children become delinquents. As these children age, studies show the frequency of delinquent acts drop.
It is also observed that antisocial behavior can be passed down from generation to generation. Parents and grandparents that are antisocial “rub off” on their children and grandchildren. Also, in general, demographics and social class also factor into child behaviors. Family stress involved with social class such as unemployment, domestic violence, marriage issues can be linked to delinquency.
All of these environmental exposures create a series of cause and effect occurrences in children that lead to antisocial and inevitably delinquent behavior. So the question now is there a way to prevent this from happening? After several studies, the results were generally negative, with only short term positive effects. Intervention at a very early age seems to be a possibility by way of parent training, child social skill training and academic remediation and psychologist are hopeful of success by these components.