ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with form of violence within families: that perpetrated by children against their parents. Increasingly, there is mention of children, teenagers, and adolescents who treat their parents with violence. Violent youngsters seem to be less bothered about the opinions and desires of the parents with regard to all this than nonviolent youngsters. It is understandable that both parents and youngsters find themselves trapped within a negative downward spiral. Individual characteristics appear to play a part in this. R. Loeber and D. Farrington studied individual factors which might predict violent behaviour in youngsters and came to the following risk-enhancing characteristics. These are: complications during pregnancy and birth; hyperactivity during the primary school years; restless behaviour and problems with concentration; aggressive behaviour at a young age; reckless behaviour; and poor self-control. These youngsters display many problems, varying from passive and depressive behaviour to intense acting out behaviour, where violent and criminal activities are a regular component.
