When children turn to crime

Four children are now at the centre of a murder investigation in Alappuzha. In Karuvatta panchayat, a 13-year-old Class 8 student allegedly planned the murder of her grandfather and sought the help of her school friends. The case has raised difficult questions about children getting involved in serious crimes and whether the adults around them notice the warning signs early.

What makes a child cross the line into crime? Do children fully understand the consequences of their actions? And what role do family, school, mental health and social circumstances play?

According to Dr Tom Varghese, assistant professor of Psychiatry at Kozhikode Medical College, there is no single reason why a child gets involved in crime. In many cases, underlying problems go unnoticed for years.

“Most cases have some form of intervention impairment. The child has a need, but is unable to get that need met by the parents or the people around them. When that continues, problems can develop,” Dr Varghese said.

One of the issues he pointed is undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Many children with ADHD are restless, have difficulty concentrating and make mistakes. They may not do their homework and constantly receive negative feedback. But the child may not be doing these things deliberately. If the child is repeatedly blamed instead of being supported, it can affect their behaviour as they grow,” he said.

Impulsivity is another factor that parents need to watch for. Children who act without thinking about the consequences may need early assessment and support.

“ADHD does not simply disappear, but with proper intervention, children can learn to manage the symptoms and function well. Treatment and support can make a major difference,” he said.

When school becomes a place of failure

“Learning difficulties are another problem that can go unnoticed. A child may be intelligent but struggle with a particular skill required at school. “Our education system largely evaluates children through examinations. A child with a learning disability may repeatedly experience failure and be labelled lazy or disobedient. This can have a serious impact on the child's confidence,” he said.

If such children stop attending school and become disconnected from education, they may become more vulnerable to substance use and other risky behaviour. Socioeconomic conditions can make the problem worse, particularly when families do not have access to treatment.

Family environment matters

The atmosphere at home can also influence a child's behaviour. Two extremes in parenting. In authoritarian families, children may have little freedom to express themselves and punishment may be the first response to mistakes. At the other extreme, permissive parenting can mean parents avoid setting boundaries or give in to almost every demand to avoid confrontation.

“Both extremes can affect children. Family atmosphere plays a large role. If parents are constantly fighting and there is no stability at home, children can also become emotionally unstable,” he said.

Children may respond to stress differently from adults. While adults may talk about their problems, children may express distress through aggression, disobedience, withdrawal or other behavioural changes.

Phones, violence and aggression

The increasing use of mobile phones is another concern. Children can become addictive and develop behavioural dependence on digital content. When access is suddenly restricted, some may respond with anger or aggression. “Children can develop behavioural addiction. When they are asked to stop using the phone, they may react very strongly. It can resemble the reaction seen when a person dependent on a substance is suddenly denied it,” he said.

Repeated exposure to violence can also reduce a child's sensitivity to it, he said. A child who regularly sees violence may gradually become less disturbed by it and may show less empathy towards others.

Do children know right from wrong?

Whether a child understands that a crime is wrong cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, Dr Varghese said.

“A child's understanding of morality develops in stages. At a younger age, the fear of punishment can be a major factor. As children grow, their understanding of right and wrong develops further,” he said. The nature of the crime and the age and development of the child also have to be considered.

Children may not always think about the long-term consequences of what they do. We cannot make a blanket statement that every child who commits a crime either understands or does not understand that it is wrong. It has to be assessed case by case, he said.

Some children may also show signs of conduct disorder, in which they repeatedly violate the rights of others and show aggressive or harmful behaviour. Conduct disorder is not common, but when it is present, it can be difficult to treat, Dr Varghese said.

Look for the signs early

Parents and teachers need to pay attention to changes in a child's behaviour. More aggression, isolation, disobedience, loss of empathy, serious problems at school and a sudden change in social relationships should not simply be dismissed as bad behaviour. The aim should not be to label a child as an “offender”, but to understand what is happening to the child and provide the right intervention. “Let us see these children as misunderstood children. They should not be viewed only as victims or offenders. There are reasons behind their behaviour that need to be understood,” he said.

There is room for change

A child involved in crime is not necessarily a child who is beyond help. Dr Varghese said most children can show significant improvement when they receive the right support and intervention.

“Majority of children show improvement with the correct intervention. With care and support, they can return to school, improve their studies and lead a normal life,” he said.

Juvenile correction and observation homes can also play an important role in helping children change their behaviour. But, the progress is more likely to continue when the child returns to a supportive family and social environment.

A child who is constantly angry, withdrawn, struggling at school or unable to control impulses may not simply be a “problem child”. Sometimes, the behaviour may be a sign that the child needs help.

Early identification, support from parents and teachers, appropriate mental-health intervention and a stable home environment can give such children a chance to change course.

 

Part 2 - When a child’s worst night need not be the end