Section 4.1 Psychological and behavioural challenges

4. Characteristics of delinquents

Delinquents are characterized by behaviors such as:

•    Poor personal and social adjustment

•    Excessive experience with drug abuse

•    Violation of disciplinary measures of parents

•    Stealing and robbery

•    Vandalism and student unrest

•    Low self-esteem and poor self-image

•    Impulsivity and poor self-control

•    Aggressiveness and hostility

•    Truancy and school dropout

•    Association with delinquent or antisocial peers

•    Negative peer associations at school

•    Pressure to conform to group norms involving deviant behavior

•    Early experimentation or regular use of drugs and alcohol

•    Early conduct problems or oppositional defiant behaviors

•    History of rule-breaking and law violations

•    Low empathy and poor social skills

•    Sensation-seeking behavior

•    Poor participation in extra-curricular school activities

•    Poor academic performance

•    Premature school dropout

•    Etc.