When you look at the world today it's easy to assume that all hope is lost. Every day, some teenager had stabbed another teenager, or mugged an old lady, or stolen a car, or overdosed on drugs. Any of these scenarios is a nightmare for parents, but it is the parent's who are responsible for the upbringing of their children. So how can you stop your child growing up to be a juvenile delinquent? First, it's important to consider the "whys".
There are many reasons for antisocial behavior, for example:
- Imitation of Television or Video games
- Imitation of parents
- Reaction to traumatic experience
- The "bad crowd" syndrome
- Poor discipline from parents
These are all outside influences which affect the individual from a young age. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure that these influences are positive ones. The common mistake is to coddle the child and watch their every movement, removing obstacles and thus removing a vital stage of education - learning from mistakes. The balance between absence and omnipresence is a difficult one to achieve, but difficult though it may be, it is not impossible.
Approach your child, not as an inferior being, but as a great mind in potential, and consider that you may be the most important influence on their lives. Tell the truth wherever possible, after all, many teenagers revolt in disgust at the lies they were told as children. It is important to forge and maintain a bond of honesty and trust and this bond must be strong because during puberty, it will be tested to destruction.
Once you have involved yourself with your child and forged that link, the battle against delinquency is already half-won. With any luck, they will consider you to be a friend and mentor and will try their best not to dishonor your teachings.
Teach your child the importance of believing in themselves. The reason so many young people join gangs or roam the streets in packs damaging property and getting up to mischief is that they haven't developed a strong enough will. Let your child know that they don't have to become a part of some tribe and that acceptance isn't as important as it might seem especially when the price could be a criminal record. Everyone has their own mind and the ability to make decisions for themselves.
Inevitably, even the best trained child will go astray at some point. It is your responsibility to let them know that what they did was wrong and be sure to emphasis your disappointment. Remember too, that raising your voice will only take you so far and shouting incomprehensible nonsense is completely counter-productive.
In conclusion, every child is different and some are more difficult than others, but should these effective guidelines fail you, remember that there are many agencies and societies which are there to help you, I will leave you with a few good links to these organizations:
