Children who have been handled harshly, inconsistently, and with little consideration may have built up anger from lack of love and nurturing. This can lead to mean, hateful, hurtful, and violent behavior in an attempt to strike back. As children age, they tend to take their lead from peers. Peers, however, can reinforce an aggressor's actions. If peers also show aggression or do not correct aggressive acts, the aggressive behavior is encouraged.
Many aggressive children have a network of aggressive friends.
Although these clusters may encourage and strengthen antisocial behavior, they also appear to provide friendships and social support. Even if parents hold off their child's aggressive behavior with firm but not harsh control, other things influence aggression. Neighborhoods, schools, and the media may provide aggressive environments where children witness aggression and violence in a variety of forms daily. For young children to outgrow their aggressive ways, they need positive, consistent, nurturing discipline. They need to learn positive problem-solving techniques.