It is basically unreliable. We must truly and effectively intervene, break the abusive patterns, and seek to heal the child. As Johnny grows, almost inevitably, his trouble-making gets worse. When Johnny is 14 or 15, perhaps having now committed a serious offense, the District Attorney tells the court that Johnny's long record of misbehavior warrants treating him as an adult, and sending him to prison for a long time. A crime prevention approach begins much earlier than Johnny's first appearance in court, juvenile court, or even the principal's office.
Crime prevention begins at conception, and even earlier.
Preventing teenage pregnancy is an important crime prevention program. Pregnant women need care and nutrition to minimize birth defects that often lead to behavior problems. Many pregnant women need to learn how to be mothers. Young men are even less familiar with child rearing than mothers. Fathers need to be trained to be fathers.