What Is Deviant Behaviour In Small Children?

Deviant behaviour refers to actions, behaviours, characteristics, or attitudes that violate societal norms, expectations, rules, and constitutionally instituted laws, often resulting in negative reactions or sanctions from others. It manifests aggressive, disruptive, or antisocial behaviours. Understanding behaviours in small children is crucial for early intervention and support, as it can have long-term consequences for their social, emotional, and academic development. Deviant behaviours in small children can take many forms, including aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity, and can be influenced by a range of factors, including genetics, environment, and parenting styles. Deviance can either be formal or informal, and its impact can always be devastating on the society. 

Formal deviance involves violation of formally constituted or enacted laws or rules or legislations of a sovereign State. Some examples of formal deviance include crimes, armed robbery, drug and substance abuse, murder, rape, assault, delinquency, overspeeding, corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation, banditry, terrorism, hijacking aeroplanes at 37, 000ft altitude midair, kidnapping, gangsterism, currency trafficking, ritualism, vandalism, tax evasion, arsonry, and others. Informal deviance involves violation of informal social norms  or expectations, such as etiquette, customs, traditions, engagement in examination malpractices, rudeness, and others. Some examples of informal deviance are unconventional fashions or hairstyles, unusual behaviours in public (shouting in the banking halls and on the planes), non-comformity to social norms, such as refusal to have a handshake in public and disallowing of eye contact. Both formal and informal deviance have negative effects on the society. Some of their effects include: social disorder and chaos, fear, anxiety, strained social relationships, lack of community cohesion, economic costs (damage to public facilities and loss of productivity, which in turn, drastically reduces Gross Domestic Product).  

One of the primary factors that can contribute to deviant behaviours in small children is parenting style. Children who experience harsh or inconsistent parenting may be more likely to develop deviant behaviours, as they may struggle to develop self-regulation skills and manage their emotions. For example, in United States, research has shown that children who experience corporal punishment are more likely to develop aggressive behaviours. Similarly, in some African countries, cultural norms around discipline and child-rearing may contribute to the development of deviant behaviours in children. 

Deviant behaviours in small children can have significant consequences for their social, emotional, and academic development. Children who exhibit deviant behaviours may struggle to form healthy relationships with peers and adults, and may experience difficulties in school due to behavioral problems. In Australia, research has shown that children who exhibit deviant behaviours are more likely to experience academic difficulties and social problems. Early intervention and support are critical for addressing deviant behaviours in small children. Parents, caregivers, and authority can play an important role in prioritizing healthy development and reducing deviant behaviours by providing a supportive and nurturing environment, teaching socio-emotional skills, and modeling positive behaviours. In Canada, for example, programmes that focus on parenting support and child development have been shown to be effective in reducing deviant behaviours in small children. Examples from across the world demonstrate the effectiveness of different approaches to addressing deviant behaviours in small children. In Japan, for example, schools prioritize socio-emotional learning and character development. In contrast, in some countries, limited access to resources and support services can make it challenging to address deviant behaviours and promote healthy development. 

In conclusion, deviant behaviours in small children is a problem that requires an urgent attention and capacity-building to solve. If we understand the factors contributing to deviant behaviours and provide early intervention and support, we can help promote healthy development and reduce the negative consequences of deviant behaviours. 

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