Aggression and Criminal Behaviour: The Paradigm Shift

Within the last decade, the world has seen a drastic downturn in the global economy. Here in the Caribbean, the steady hike in the cost of living has been blamed for the rise in the crime rate, particularly in St. Kitts. However, although there is some existing literature that supports this argument, there is also corroborating evidence which points to a more complex situation. Aggression is a natural coping mechanism for many when faced with stress and frustration. Young people who are faced with adverse socioeconomic challenges are particularly vulnerable to stress and therefore seek an outlet for their negative feelings. The outcome is sometimes misplaced aggression and crime. This book seeks to identify the underlying source of the emergence of such negative attitudes and actions by the youth.