Description:
This report examines what is known about aggressive behaviour among the youngest citizens. Against the backdrop of recent research on childhood development, the evidence is growing clear that childhood aggression must be taken seriously.
The research literature demonstrates that interventions with aggressive adolescents often substantially increase the likelihood of criminal behavior while interventions with at-risk preschool children have long term beneficial effects. However, the notion is not widely shared by the general public.
In a public opinion survey, 41% of respondents believed governments should invest more money in violence prevention programs for adolescents, while only 10% would invest in programs for children aged four and under.
This report pulls together what we know so far about the causes and consequences of childhood aggression, and what parents, caregivers, educators and society as a whole ought to do about it.