ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book discusses key research and policy recommendations addressing the behaviours and needs of disruptive and delinquent children. It reviews the importance of family processes and parent and child personality characteristics. National or regional secular trends are difficult to discern due to the absence of longitudinal monitoring and research. Research shows that in the long run, compared to delinquents, non-delinquents tend to be healthier, better educated, more often employed, earning more money and paying more taxes. The development and use of assessment and screening instruments is receiving more attention from both policymakers and researchers. The media, legislators and policymakers all have the responsibility to avoid creating legislation under the influence of crises, or rare forms of delinquency involving children as offenders that do not reflect the majority of offences committed by young people.
