ABSTRACT
While certain sections of the press might have the public believe that nearly all children are potential ‘thugs’, just waiting for the opportunity to engage in violent or anti-social behaviour, some groups of children may be seen as particularly troublesome. Children from low socioeconomic groups, children of Travellers, AfricanCaribbean boys, children with learning difficulties and children from so-called ‘problem families’ are among those who risk being pre-judged before they have even stepped through the door of a setting. Siblings of children who have previously attended a setting and whose behaviour was of concern may automatically be assumed to have behaviour similar to that of their elder brother or sister.
