Antisocial behavior consists of two components: absence of prosocial behavior (affirming, cooperative, or communicative) and the presence of antisocial behavior (aggressive, disobedient, and angry). Antisocial children often appear numb and use their behavior as a defense mechanism to avoid painful feelings or lack of control. Children during their growth years are displaying varying rates of antisocial and prosocial behavioral characteristics. The behaviors displayed by young children are lying, cheating, being abusive or being aggressive towards authority. Past experiences, family issues, or health issues contribute to children's antisocial behaviors. In children and adolescents with antisocial behavior, there is a high risk of failure at school, suicide, or criminal behavior. They may seem to have no feelings and do not care enough while harming others, but truth is that they are upset because of lack of control over the world, and their action is more like a defense to protect themselves against their painful feelings.
People with antisocial behavior in particular fail to 'play by the rules,' do not want to obey social standards and prefer to manipulate others without feeling guilty. The risk of suicide is high, because people who are antisocial also suffer from self-defeating sensations. Getting little parental guidance and encouragement in a dysfunctional family where there's no appreciation incentive will strengthen sociopathic behavior. These traits may be genetically inherited.
The quality of the relationship between adolescents and parents influences their emotional well-being, negative quality of the relationship may contribute to behavioral issues, because parental support plays a key role in internalizing values and norms. Once teenagers feel ready to share their thoughts and worries to their parents, parents' awareness and experience helps them alleviate their tension. If parents lack essential skills to change children's antisocial tendencies, it enhances these behavior.
