Anti-social behaviour

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For the record label, see Anti-Social Records

Anti-social behavior (which can be spelled with or without the hyphen) is often seen as public behaviour that lacks judgement and consideration for others and may cause them or their property damage. It may be intentional, as with vandalism or graffiti, or the result of negligence. Persistent anti-social behaviour may be a manifestation of an antisocial personality disorder. The counterpart of anti-social behaviour is pro-social behaviour, namely any behaviour intended to help or benefit another person, group or society.^[1]

In common parlance, antisocial often has a significantly different meaning and is used to describe those who perceived to be excessively introverted. Though technically an incorrect definition of the antisocial behaviour, this use has become increasingly common.

With both pro- and anti-social behavior, intent is the crucial determinant; for instance, infants may act in seemingly anti-social ways, yet are generally accepted as too young to have developed an adequate theory of mind to know the difference. By age 4 or 5, however, children should have developed sufficiently to distinguish between the two.^[1]

Some complaints of anti-social behavior made to the police are often not cases of anti-social behaviour at all.

For example, a group of young people meeting on a street corner is not in itself being anti-social. However, if they start to let off fireworks, knock over a garden wall or shout abuse at passers-by, their behaviour is obviously anti-social. The following list sets out what the police classify as anti-social behavior:^[2]

Substance misuse such as glue sniffing
Drinking alcohol on the streets
Problems related to animals such as not properly restraining animals in public places
Begging
Prostitution related activity such as curb crawling and loitering
Abandoned vehicles that may or may not be stolen
Vehicle nuisance such as “cruises” - revving car engines, racing, wheel spinning and horn sounding.
Noise coming from business or industry
Noise coming from alarms
Noise coming from pubs and clubs
Environmental damage such as graffiti and littering
Inappropriate use of fireworks
Inappropriate use of public space such as disputes among neighbors, rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour
General drunken behaviour (which is rowdy or inconsiderate)
Hoax calls to the emergency services
Pubs or clubs serving alcohol after hours
Malicious communication
Hate incidents where abuse involves race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability
Firearms incidents such as use of an imitation weapon

1 Anti Social Behavior Orders
2 Effects
3 UK government involvement
4 See also
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Anti Social Behavior Orders

Anti Social Behavior Orders are civil sanctions but have been classed as criminal proceedings for funding purposes due to the restrictions that they can place on individual liberty. An Anti Social Behavior Order does not itself give the defendant a criminal record, but contains conditions prohibiting the offender from specific anti-social acts or entering into defined areas, and is effective for a minimum of two years. Breach of an Anti Social Behaviour Order is, however, a criminal offence. A comprehensive article on ASBO law can be found at: Antisocial behaviour orders and Anti-social Behavior Act 2003 (Commentary)

[edit] Effects

In preschool-aged children, an increase in aggression is normal, but parents should teach their children the proper lessons. Lack of such behavioural changes is cause for concern, as this may lead to depression and anxiety later in life; however, continued aggression can indicate more severe problems. Both bullies and their victims have inadequate emotional regulation. Ultimately, parents should be aware that "emotions need to be regulated, not repressed"^[3].

In generic terms, anti-social behavior is any action which has a negative effect on the growth or continuation of the society. A person's behaviour has the possible result of endangering, a negative effect, or improving, a positive effect, the social order. IE. The proof is: If the mathematical sample of any social group is 100% of the society and in that sample all (100%) behave the same, does the society grow (positive) or diminish, (negative)? If the effect of the behaviour of all members of the society is negative, the same behaviour in one member is negative, or "anti-social".

[edit] UK government involvement

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as acting in a manner that has "caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household" as the perpetrator.

In 2003, in an attempt to curb anti-social behaviour, the British government introduced the Anti-Social Behaviour Act. This introduced the Anti-social behavior order ("Asbo"), a civil order that can result in a jail sentence of up to five years if broken.

In a survey conducted by University College London during May 2006, the UK was thought by respondents to be Europe's worst country for anti-social behavior, with 76% believing Britain had a "big or moderate problem". [1]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

Berger, Kathleen Stassen. The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 6th edition (3rd publishing). Worth Publishers, 2003. ISBN 0-7167-5257-3