Examining the Drivers of Youth Anti-Social Behavior

Abstract

In today's world, individuals globally engage in various forms of anti-social behaviour, both occasionally and regularly. While some behaviours, like introversion, do not harm others, there are actions that can cause significant harm, including violent acts, criminal activities, abuse, mistreatment, human trafficking, theft, and robbery. It is essential for individuals from all backgrounds to refrain from such harmful behaviours to lead a decent, cultured, moral, and principled life.

This research paper aims to explore anti-social behaviour among young people. The primary focus areas include the types of anti-social behaviours, their causes, their effects, preventative measures, and relevant laws. Understanding the different types of anti-social behaviours—ranging from minor infractions to severe crimes—is crucial. Investigating the causes helps to identify underlying factors such as socio-economic conditions, family background, peer pressure, and psychological issues. Examining the effects reveals the impact on victims, perpetrators, and society at large, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of such behaviours. Preventative measures are essential to mitigate anti-social behaviour. These include fostering social skills, creating supportive environments, promoting education, reducing loneliness, and providing counselling and guidance. Effective teaching and management strategies can also play a significant role in prevention.

Additionally, the paper will review laws addressing anti-social behaviour, evaluating their effectiveness and suggesting improvements. By comprehensively examining these aspects, the research aims to contribute to the development of strategies that reduce anti-social behaviour among young people, ultimately fostering a more harmonious and supportive society.

Keywords: Anti-Social Behaviour, Individuals, Causes, Effects, Measures, Laws

Introduction

People's understanding of what constitutes anti-social behaviour (ASB) is influenced by several factors, including social frameworks, settings, community tolerance, and quality of life expectations. Consequently, what one person may consider anti-social behaviour might be viewed as acceptable by another. The subjective nature of this concept complicates the establishment of a single, universal definition of anti-social behaviour. Generally, anti-social behaviour refers to actions that can cause harassment, apprehension, anxiety, or distress to one or more individuals. The term encompasses a broad range of activities. Perceptions of anti-social behaviour vary based on numerous factors. To effectively address these behaviours, practitioners must take responsibility for identifying and tackling the issue, along with possessing sufficient knowledge of the behaviours occurring within their local community (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004).

When anti-social behaviours exhibited by youth create problems for community members, judicial penalties may be imposed on them. Conversely, some anti-social behaviours may lead individuals to become isolated and withdrawn from society. For example, a person who was raised to be polite and courteous in communication, friendly with peers, and respectful to elders may be perceived as anti-social if they show disrespect or fail to engage willingly with those around them. As a result, this individual may become more withdrawn from society.

In understanding anti-social behaviours among young people, three key areas must be considered: identifying problematic behaviours, determining the resources needed to address these behaviours effectively, and evaluating the success of initiatives aimed at tackling anti-social behaviours. (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004).

Types of Anti-Social Behaviours

The types of anti-social behaviours have been stated as follows:

? Drug Abuse - The issue concerning drug dealing and the presence of anti-social behaviour lies less in the illegal act itself and more in the reality that drugs are sold and consumed unlawfully in public spaces, which affects the individuals who live and work in those areas (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004). People who use drugs often face difficulties in developing positive, logical, and rational thought processes. Those who abuse drugs and excessive alcohol encounter challenges in leading a productive life; they struggle to perform their tasks and responsibilities effectively and face various obstacles. They often have trouble engaging in effective communication and frequently become involved in different forms of anti-social behaviour.

? Prostitution - The inclusion of prostitution was also questioned, given that it tends to be a response to personal circumstances rather than a purposely anti-social activity. As with drug dealing and use, the anti-social element of prostitution relates to the presence of prostitutes and their clients engaging in an unlawful activity in a public space, which can cause anguish to others, who make use of the area (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004). There have been instances, when women and girls are forced into prostitution and this is usually amongst women and girls belonging to deprived and marginalized communities. The women and girls get forced into prostitution for monetary resources in order to alleviate the conditions of poverty.

? Thoughtless Behaviours – When members of the community show indifference towards the thoughts and feelings of others, lack effective listening skills, or frequently engage in conflicts—meaning they become easily agitated or aggressive—this is considered anti-social behaviour. A distinction can be made regarding the annoying behaviours of youth, differentiating between typical youthful activities and anti-social actions. Activities held in public spaces may not inherently be anti-social, but they can become so if, for example, they take place in a confined area that restricts others from using or passing through the space. Additionally, some behaviours may be acceptable if they happen once or twice, but they can turn into a nuisance if repeated continuously over time (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004).

? Begging – In India, there are people seen on the streets who request money. There is a common consensus that aggressive begging, which involves forcefully approaching individuals for funds or begging in a manner that induces harassment, anxiety, or discomfort, is anti-social. Begging is viewed as an activity that is anti-social and causes distress to others. Beggars can be found on the streets, seated on sidewalks and in various public areas. The anti-social behaviour unit categorizes all forms of begging as anti-social. According to the 1824 Vagrancy Act, begging is illegal, and the National Police Records (Recordable Offences) (Amendments) Regulations 2003 classify it as a recordable offence. When addressing local issues related to begging, practitioners should take into account the characteristics and impact of the specific local problem (Defining and Measuring Anti-Social Behaviour, 2004).

? Violent and Criminal Acts – Various forms of violent and criminal behaviours are common in society, including verbal abuse, physical abuse, rape, sexual harassment, female foeticide, female infanticide, acid attacks, trafficking, murder, and more. These behaviours are categorized as serious anti-social activities and warrant punishment. Such anti-social actions often arise from feelings of hostility, animosity, or hatred within the community. Individuals engaging in these behaviours are typically unaware of their consequences and act based on personal motives. In many instances, women and girls are the primary victims of these actions. They frequently encounter these forms of anti-social behaviours at home, in educational settings, in workplaces, and in public spaces, resulting in harmful effects.

? Anger and Frustration – There have been instances of individuals who frequently experience anger and frustration over various issues and concerns. In workplace settings or educational institutions, if they display anger and frustration, others may lack enthusiasm and interest in engaging or collaborating with them. Such attitudes can lead a person to exhibit anti-social behaviours. For example, when someone is busy with work and another person enters their office or calls them, if they respond with anger, others may perceive them as unapproachable and may even cease communication with them. The emotion of anger and frustration primarily renders an individual less approachable; thus, these feelings are regarded as components of anti-social behaviour.

? Introversion – There are people who have an introverted personality and show little interest in engaging with others. They tend to keep to themselves, focusing mainly on their work and daily activities. These individuals engage in communication to a lesser degree with their family members, supervisors, or employers. Introversion can sometimes be seen as a positive trait, especially when a person is not required to be involved; however, it can be viewed negatively when others wish to interact with someone who remains withdrawn. When a person should take part in interactions but does not show interest in being involved and prefers to stay isolated, it is termed anti-social behaviour. Thus, this kind of anti-social behaviour can have both positive and negative aspects.

? Conflicts and Disputes – Conflicts and disputes frequently arise in various settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, and more. These situations can manifest in either significant or minor ways. Anger is often the underlying cause of these conflicts and disputes. There are instances where expressing anger is justified, such as when individuals fail to meet deadlines, leading supervisors, teachers, or employers to react with anger. Conversely, displaying anger, hostility, or antagonism towards individuals without cause is seen as inappropriate behaviour. Individuals who are less educated or uneducated often remain unaware, resulting in them frequently engaging in conflicts and disputes, which is viewed as anti-social behaviour. In workplaces or educational settings, if one person excels and receives praise from supervisors and employers, it is likely that others may feel envy, and these feelings of jealousy, hatred, or suspicion can trigger anti-social behaviours.

? Trafficking – The individuals who are poverty stricken and belong to deprived, marginalized and socio-economically backward sections of the society, normally get involved into the trafficking of their children for money. Trafficking is regarded as an anti-social behaviour that means transporting of children to other places, where they are exploited. The children are made to undergo severe, detrimental consequences. They are not given enough to eat, and in most cases, they are beaten, tortured and even burned. The main reason for trafficking of children is conditions of poverty. When the poverty-stricken families are unable to feed and provide for the needs and requirements of their children, they regard them as burdens, do not show care and concern for them and sell them for money.

? Theft and Robbery – In the community, stealing and robbery are viewed as criminal offenses. These actions are seen as unacceptable in every situation, whether executed by professionals in the field or by an employed helper or any other person. The primary motivation behind these actions is often to improve one’s living situation. When such acts occur on a larger scale, they often warrant legal repercussions; however, if an employed helper is caught stealing items from the household, such as food or other goods, they may face termination or receive a warning. Theft and robbery are perceived as anti-social behaviours because they tarnish an individual’s reputation, leading others to lose respect for them.

Causes of Anti-Social Behaviours

There are different causes that lead to the occurrence of anti-social behaviours and these have been stated as follows:

? Poverty – Many people experience poverty and underdevelopment, particularly in rural regions. This issue is especially common among those from marginalized, disadvantaged, and socio-economically deprived groups. These households often have a large number of family members and find it challenging to fulfil everyone's basic needs. They usually have low-wage jobs or face unemployment, which play significant roles in their poverty situation. Experiencing poverty can have harmful effects on individuals, sometimes leading them to engage in anti-social behaviours. There have been instances where these individuals have committed severe actions, including harming their own relatives. The difficult circumstances of poverty and deprivation can generate feelings of anger and frustration, and influenced by these emotions, they may cause harm to others.

? Homelessness – Homelessness refers to the situation where individuals lack their own residences; they may reside in a hotel, guest house, or the homes of friends or relatives, or they may live on the streets. Many people migrate from rural areas to cities in search of a better life, but due to poverty and financial difficulties, they are unable to afford their own housing. As a result, their only option is to live on the streets, where they rely on public water, receive meals from places of worship, and seek job opportunities. These individuals often work in low-paying jobs, such as cleaners, rag-pickers, and rickshaw pullers. While these minority jobs demand a significant amount of effort, the income earned is usually insufficient to support themselves. In some instances, when these individuals perceive that their living situations are not improving, they may resort to engaging in anti-social activities.

? Illiteracy – In today's world, the importance of education is widely acknowledged by individuals and communities alike. Education, along with knowledge and awareness, empowers a person to lead a fulfilling life by recognizing what is right and what is wrong, adhering to principles of morality, integrity, honesty, and truthfulness, avoiding harm to others, and embodying qualities such as diligence, responsibility, and resourcefulness. Conversely, lack of education and awareness can lead individuals to engage in anti-social behaviours. There are various types of anti-social behaviours that do not cause significant harm to others but are still considered unacceptable. Thus, illiteracy and ignorance are key contributors to these anti-social behaviours.

? Unemployment – Creating a source of income is seen as the primary goal for everyone, regardless of their background or social status. Typically, individuals with a stable and respected job or those thriving in their business tend to refrain from engaging in any form of anti-social behaviour. Conversely, when people are unemployed or unable to earn enough to support themselves, they might resort to anti-social actions, mainly due to feelings of despair, anger, and frustration. Joblessness brings about numerous challenges, and one of the most significant issues faced is the loss of many hopes and desires, coupled with an inability to fulfil even basic needs. As a result, unemployment is recognized as a significant contributor to anti-social behaviours.

? Inability to Fulfil other Desires – Young individuals typically have many aspirations, and when they cannot meet them, they often resort to anti-social behaviours. Studies have shown that women are frequently victims of acid attacks by obsessive men who have expressed a desire to marry them. When women reject these advances—often because they are focused on advancing their careers—it can provoke such dreadful anti-social actions. Causing harm to family members is also categorized as anti-social behaviour, which is often perpetrated by the youth. This harm can extend to parents, siblings, grandparents, wives, and children, and there have been numerous cases of them hurting their parents, partners, or kids. When their wishes remain unmet, they may experience feelings of anger and resentment, leading them to harm their family members.

? Alcohol – Men are more prone to engage in anti-social activities than women. Alcohol is a substance predominantly consumed by males and is socially accepted; however, excessive use can have harmful consequences. This is because males are more exposed to certain factors that contribute to the prevalence of anti-social behaviours. They exhibit a higher addiction rate to drugs and alcohol than females. Typically, individuals become involved in anti-social conduct when influenced by alcohol. For example, driving under the influence is classified as a crime. Research has shown that when people consume significant amounts of alcohol, they are more likely to participate in criminal and anti-social behaviours, with this trend being more common among males compared to females (Violent and antisocial behaviours among young adolescents in Australian communities, 2009).

Effects of Anti-Social Behaviours

The effects of anti-social behaviours are disadvantageous and unfavourable upon the lives of the individuals and these have been stated as follows:

? Individual Risk Factors – Due to anti-social behaviours, individuals' personalities are negatively impacted. The adverse effects on personality include poor cognitive development, hyperactivity, depression, anger, frustration, and other aspects of emotional stability. A person develops unapproachable behavioural traits, leading to the loss of their social network. When individuals exhibit anti-social behaviours, they can harm others; however, if they recognize that their actions have caused pain, they often feel regret and remorse. Engaging in anti-social behaviours does not bring pleasure or fulfilment; instead, individuals remain unhappy and face various losses, such as losing valuable relationships and maintaining good connections with others (Kronberga, 2015).

? Family Risk Factors – In many situations, parents find their children's anti-social behaviours unacceptable and decide to put an end to their agreements and expectations. Parents endure significant hardship when their children engage in anti-social behaviours. There have been instances where elderly parents are mistreated by their offspring for financial gain and inheritance. They face verbal and physical abuse, are sent to nursing homes, and suffer from other types of violence and mistreatment. Because of these issues, parents pursue actions to remove their abusive children from their residences. When anti-social behaviours lead to the deterioration of family relationships, it is considered detrimental. When poverty becomes a significant barrier to supporting families, parents may become involved in practices such as child abuse and trafficking.

? Workplace and Organizational Structures – Within organizations and higher education institutions, individuals sometimes voice disagreements with their peers, subordinates, and superiors. When disagreements escalate into significant conflicts and disputes, the consequences can lead to negative outcomes, such as potential job loss or temporary suspension, which adversely affects their work performance. Engaging in conflicts and disputes, along with exhibiting anger and disrespect towards others, is viewed as anti-social behaviour. The primary detrimental effect is that work and career progression can suffer significantly due to a failure to establish positive relationships and terms with others.

? Educational Institutions – Educational institutions are considered environments where an individual spends a significant amount of time. In nursery school, one might engage in conflicts with other students. As the individual progresses to a regular school, they start to learn from their teachers the importance of being friendly and approachable toward their peers. Within educational institutions, when individuals partake in any form of anti-social behaviour with fellow students, staff, or faculty members, they may face challenges in their studies, harm their relationships with supervisors and other staff, and could potentially drop out prematurely. When a person engages in anti-social behaviours, they may also encounter difficulties in seeking guidance for finding employment opportunities.

? Community – In public settings and within the community, if individuals engage in anti-social behaviours, they may face legal consequences. When people are familiar with one another, they might choose to cease their communication instead. For example, if someone hurts a friend out of anger, they could either forgive them or decide to end their relationship. The consequences of terminating a friendship due to anti-social behaviour are negative since good friends provide support and assistance in times of need, and one can confide in them about both happiness and sadness.

Measures to Prevent Anti-Social Behaviours

The measures to prevent anti-social behaviours amongst the individuals need to be considered, they are essential for an efficient living and have been stated as follows:

? Social Skills – From the beginning, it is essential for individuals to gain knowledge about developing social skills. Individuals acquire social skills through three primary sources: interaction with parents at home, teachers and peers in school, and members of the community. Within social skills, there are several areas that individuals should understand. These include demonstrating manners and etiquette, showing care and sharing with others, communicating politely and respectfully, engaging socially, fulfilling one’s job responsibilities to the best of one’s ability, recognizing one’s responsibilities, and cultivating appropriate self-control. A crucial aspect is that individuals must learn to manage their anger and frustration, and only engage with others' concerns when their assistance, ideas, or suggestions are truly needed (Church, 2011).

? Amiable Environment – It is essential for parents at home and teachers in educational settings to foster a friendly and positive atmosphere. In workplaces and organizations as well, it is crucial that the environment is welcoming. In such an atmosphere, individuals feel at ease when reaching out to their parents, teachers, and employers with various issues and concerns. If they find themselves struggling with problems and looking for solutions, they can turn to others for support, including parents, family members, supervisors, teachers, employers, and colleagues. It is important to implement various strategies that can contribute to the creation of a friendly atmosphere, with effective communication and a cooperative spirit being key factors. When people are supportive and collaborative, it is more likely that anti-social behaviours will be reduced (Church, 2011).

? Education and Learning – Education and learning are seen as crucial fields that allow a person to establish a purpose and goals in life. When someone aspires to be a doctor, lawyer, or teacher in the future, they become fully committed to their education and studies. In addition to academic knowledge, there are several other areas that an individual must be familiar with in order to excel in their career. One key aspect is the necessity to learn how to show respect and kindness to others while avoiding causing harm. Attending educational institutions, gaining knowledge, and engaging with peers help an individual develop traits such as carefulness, hard work, creativity, and innovation. By embracing these positive qualities and skills, a person is more likely to concentrate on their goals and refrain from engaging in any anti-social behaviours.

? Elimination of Loneliness – Loneliness is seen as a persistent and distressing condition that affects the mental well-being of individuals across all age groups. From an early age, a person requires companionship or friendship for social interaction. As one matures, the need for friends to share in joys and sorrows becomes essential in alleviating loneliness. Children who grow up without siblings often exhibit anti-social characteristics, such as difficulty in making friends, a lack of nurturing and sharing tendencies, maladjustment, and, in some cases, display anti-social behaviour. Consequently, a key method to mitigate anti-social behaviours is to establish a social network, engage with friends and others outside the home, and participate in meaningful communication. These elements will aid individuals in cultivating social skills and overcoming any tendencies toward anti-social behaviour.

? Teaching and Management – The authority and control over individuals lie with their parents, teachers, and employers. These figures are expected to offer guidance to help individuals adopt ethical standards, morals, principles, and values. When someone engages in an immoral behaviour, the guidance from experienced individuals can help them recognize that they have acted inappropriately. Teaching and management not only assist in pinpointing flaws and weaknesses but also provide a clear path for individuals to follow. For teaching and management strategies to be effective, individuals must communicate their issues with their parents, teachers, or employers, enabling them to offer valuable solutions. Those who participate in anti-social behaviours often refrain from discussing their problems with others, which leads to difficulties in finding solutions.

? Counselling and Guidance – Counselling and guidance services are typically offered in educational settings, organizations, and even in public areas. There are various forms of counselling and guidance services, such as counselling for depression and career guidance, among others. Numerous issues and challenges can lead an individual to engage in antisocial behaviours. When individuals find it difficult to identify effective solutions to these challenges, they often seek help from professional counsellors. The counsellors assist them in adopting strategies and practices that can help them address their issues over time. For example, a person may become withdrawn and aggressive due to unemployment or poor academic performance, and seeking guidance from a career counsellor can help them navigate these difficulties. Counsellors are able to provide directions and viable solutions, but it ultimately falls to the individual to implement these suggestions and overcome any obstacles to effective social interaction.

? Work and Activities – Counselling and guidance services are commonly available in educational institutions, organizations, and even in community spaces. There are different types of counselling and guidance services, including support for depression and career advice, among others. A variety of issues and challenges can drive someone to exhibit antisocial behaviour. When individuals struggle to find effective ways to tackle these challenges, they often turn to professional counsellors for help. The counsellors help them adopt strategies and methods that can assist them in resolving their issues over time. For instance, someone may become withdrawn and aggressive due to job loss or poor academic performance, and consulting a career counsellor can aid them in addressing these problems. Counsellors can offer guidance and practical solutions, but it ultimately remains the individual's responsibility to apply these recommendations and overcome any barriers to effective social interaction.

? Interpersonal Relations – Counselling and guidance services are often accessible within educational institutions, organizations, and various community settings. There are several categories of counselling and guidance services, such as support for depression and assistance with career decisions, among others. Numerous issues and challenges can lead an individual to display antisocial behaviour. When people find it difficult to effectively handle these challenges, they frequently seek help from professional counsellors. Counsellors aid individuals in adopting strategies and approaches that can help them address their issues over time. For example, a person might become withdrawn and aggressive as a result of losing a job or facing academic difficulties, and consulting a career counsellor can help them work through these challenges. While counsellors provide advice and practical solutions, it is ultimately the individual's duty to implement these suggestions and overcome obstacles to positive social interaction.

Laws to address Anti-Social Behaviours

The laws to address anti-social behaviours include: (Anti-Social Behaviour Statement, 2013).

? Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 - There have been instances, when youth impose harm and anti-social behaviours upon the landlords, when they live as tenants, due to various reasons, such as inability to pay the rent on time, provision of civic amenities and other facilities. This important piece of legislation reinforces the powers and the controls of the landlords to deal with anti-social behaviours in the following ways. A power of arrest can be attached to an injunction obtained through the Local Government Act 1972, if there is a threat of violence or use of violence or there is significant risk of harm. It is vital to conduct verification of an individual, before he is provided a rented accommodation.

? Housing Act 1996 Exclusion from the Waiting List - This legislation permits the local authorities to exercise the power to eliminate certain categories of individuals from the housing waiting list, for example, those with a record of serious anti-social behaviour. The individuals, who have been engaged into some types of anti-social behaviours in the past are not accepted as tenants by the individuals. As it has been stated above that involvement in anti-social behaviours damage the image of an individual within the society.

? Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – This legislation provides the power of arrest and the opportunity of a restrictive order being obtained in the Magistrates’ Court which could carry a penalty of up to five years imprisonment. The purpose is to prevent a perpetrator from entering an area and or harassing others. Harassment of other people, particularly women and girls are regarded as an offence and demand for a judicial penalty.

? Civil Evidence Act 1995 - In civil proceedings, either in the County Court or the Magistrates’ Court, hearsay evidence is permissible. This allows evidence to be given where a witness does not feel comfortable in attending the court personally.

? Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Person Act 1997) – Alcohol is publicly accepted, but when a person commits some form of anti-social behaviours under the influence of alcohol, then it is regarded as unacceptable. There are numerous anti-social behaviours that are committed by the individuals under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, confiscation of alcohol (Young Person Act 1997) has been put into practice.

? Sex Offenders Act 1997 - The legislation requires the maintenance of the register of sex offenders, who are within the remit of the legislation. A risk assessment is carried out by a variety of organisations on people, who are registered and put a risk on the community. The Council has a representative, who attends the risk management panels that take place on a monthly basis.

? Environmental Protection Act 1990 – This act enforces a legal obligation on local authorities to study the complaints of statutory nuisance, which includes noise nuisance. Extreme noise can lead to confiscation of equipment and prosecution can lead to a fine. Legal action can be taken in the Magistrates’ Court. The anti-social behaviour unit within the Council liaise is closely connected with the environmental protection services in cases, where it is suitable to use this legislation to terminate noise nuisance.

? The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 - This Act has given a number of powers to the local authorities covering a wide range of issues, such as, gating orders, nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles, litter, fly-tipping and graffiti. The Act also covers noise from the premises, animal nuisance and introduced fixed penalty notices for noise from licensed premises, abandoned vehicles, and others.

? Criminal Justice Act 2003 - The Act imposes a duty on housing authorities to co-operate with the judicial authorities in establishing provisions and arrangements to measure and manage the risks posed by sexual and violent offenders and other offenders, who may cause serious harm to the public. Complaints of this nature are referred to the local authority’s multi-agency public protection panel.

? Crime and Disorder Act 1998 - In addition to introduction of anti-social behaviour orders, this legislation has brought in certain powers that may be taken to prevent children from getting involved in criminal and anti-social behaviours. Children are the future citizens of the country; it is vital to lead them towards the right direction and help them differentiate between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. In summary, those powers are, child safety, parenting, local child curfews, power to remove truants and reparation orders.

? Child safety orders – When a child or children are undergoing unfavourable consequences or they are being abused and mistreated in some form, then it is essential to ensure protection of children. This enables children to be placed under the supervision of a responsible officer, who is usually a social worker or member of the Youth Offending Team for normally a time period of three months.

? Parenting orders - When Children, who under 10 years of age display anti-social or disobedient behavioural traits, may be referred to the doctor and to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), or they may be referred to behaviour management specialists within education. In some cases, children’s social care services may become involved and provide family support workers to assist the parents in managing their behaviour (Herlitz, & Hough, 2016). Parenting orders may be imposed by the court at the same time as an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is approved and require parents or guardians of children, who are between 10 and 17 years of age to attend counselling and guidance sessions. There are children between 10 and 17 years of age, who experience various types of problems, due to which they get involved in anti-social behaviours, hence, it is vital to make provision of adequate counselling and guidance services to lead them in the right direction.

? Local child curfews (as amended by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003) – There are number of children in India, who are homeless and live on the streets. They do not have any particular aim in their lives, they either drop out of school or have never been enrolled in school. They usually get engaged into anti-social behaviours and sustain their living by begging. Local child curfews are designed to deal with children on the streets, especially during the night.

? Power to remove truants – The children who have dropped out of school and are involved into anti-social behaviours and live an aimless life are normally assisted in getting back to school. The youth, who have dropped out of school or have not been to school, normally are the ones who get involved into various forms of anti-social behaviours. The children are the future citizens of the country, therefore, power to remove truants means that they are helped in getting enrolled in schools to learn and enhance their living.

? Reparation orders - This requires young offenders to make compensations to their victim or the wider community. There have been cases, when the youth involved in anti-social behaviours are made to realize their offences and wrongdoings, then they get involved in the working for the well-being of the victims as well as the community. They make an attempt to move towards the right path and recompense the unfavorable effects, they have caused.

Conclusion

Anti-social behaviours are undesirable or illegal acts committed by individuals or groups that cause misery, distress, and disturbances. These behaviours can range from mild to severe and may include actions such as being overly introverted or engaging in criminal activities. While introversion, where a person avoids social interactions, isn't harmful to others, it can affect the individual's quality of life by limiting their social skills and interactions. On the other hand, violent and criminal acts are clear examples of anti-social behaviours that inflict harm on others and cause significant distress. These behaviours are often motivated by various factors including race, gender, religion, occupation, age, or socio-economic background. Instances of anti-social behaviours have been observed globally, affecting almost every individual in some form. For example, domestic helpers often face abuse and mistreatment from their employers, who feel superior due to their socio-economic status. The causes of anti-social behaviours are numerous and include poverty, homelessness, illiteracy, unemployment, unfulfilled desires, and alcohol abuse. These factors contribute to the frustration and hopelessness that often drive individuals to engage in such behaviours. Preventing anti-social behaviours requires a multi-faceted approach. Developing social skills and interpersonal relationships is crucial. Creating an amiable environment where individuals feel safe and valued can significantly reduce these behaviours. Recognizing the importance of education and learning helps individuals find productive ways to achieve their goals, thus reducing the inclination towards anti-social acts. Efforts should also be made to eliminate loneliness through community-building activities. Teaching effective management skills, providing counselling and guidance, and engaging individuals in constructive work and activities are also vital preventive measures. It is imperative for individuals to refrain from anti-social behaviours, not only for the well-being of those around them but also for their own health. Such behaviours not only harm victims but also lead to adverse effects on the perpetrators themselves, often exacerbating feelings of isolation and distress. By understanding and addressing the root causes, society can work towards reducing these behaviours and creating a more supportive and inclusive environment.

In summary, anti-social behaviours can have profound negative impacts on both individuals and communities. Addressing the underlying causes and promoting positive social interactions are key to mitigating these behaviours and fostering a healthier society.