Many antisocial youth have difficult temperaments from birth. Many antisocial youth suffer from a variety of disabilities.
Many antisocial youth have serious psychiatric disorders.
Many antisocial youth come from families that have experienced a great deal of difficulty and stress. People believe antisocial youth are looking for the good things in life without working for them. There is a great deal of anger towards young people who steal and commit other violent and antisocial acts. This anger arises from the public's belief that antisocial youth could be like other youngsters if they wanted to be and if they tried. Although this anger is justifiable considering the violence committed by youth in recent years, our response has to be guided by the knowledge of what is causing this behaviour and how it can be changed.