Why does Anti-Social Behaviour happen

Many factors have been identified that contribute to the causes of anti-social behaviour. Four main areas have been identified (Source: Home Office, Research Development & Statistics, ASB - A collection of published evidence, 2004):

Family environment

• poor parental discipline and supervision
• family conflict (between parents or between parents and children)
• family history of problem behaviour
• parental involvement/attitudes condoning problem behaviour

Schooling & educational attainment

• aggressive behaviour (e.g. bullying)
• lack of commitment to school
• school disorganisation
• school exclusion and truancy patterns
• low achievement at school

Community life / accommodation / employment

• community disorganisation and neglect
• the availability of drugs and alcohol
• lack of neighbourhood attachment
• growing up in a deprived area within low income families, high rates of unemployment and a high turnover of population areas where there are high levels of vandalism

Personal and individual factors

• alienation and lack of social commitment
• early involvement in problem behaviour
• attitudes that condone problem behaviour
• for young people, a high proportion of unsupervised time spent with peers and friends or peers involved in problem behaviour mental illness
• early involvement in the use of illegal drugs and crime