ABSTRACT
This chapter explores Donald Winnicott’s formulation of “the antisocial tendency” in terms of its implications for the residential care and treatment of children and adolescents. It begins with a brief recapitulation of Winnicott’s account of early development in infancy and its implications for subsequent development. The chapter outlines what he meant by “antisocial tendency” and try to distinguish between, first, this general tendency, second, the persistence of antisocial acts in some young people, and, third, the risk of descent into delinquency. It examines Winnicott’s striking portrayal of “delinquency as a sign of hope” and considers the implications of this formulation for residential treatment. The chapter looks at issues of assessment, everyday living, and the quality of tolerance, and at the central therapeutic role of individual relationships with young people. It focuses on the implications of this approach for the self of the worker.
