The Argus 1946
THE BAD BOY is made, not born. He is nurtured in the
slums, in the dirty, narrow streets that are often his only playground, in
squalor and unhappiness of the hovel that passes for home.
THE BAD BOY is not a static entity with
characteristics that sharply distinguish him from his blameless brothers. There is some unanimity of opinion among investigators
of child crime, however, that shows most of the following characteristics :
1. "Muscle-worship" of strong men and
adventurers.
2. Ambition for material wealth.
3. Contempt for authority, especially the law.
4. Depraved taste in films, books, and magazines,
usually preferring adventure and crime stories.
5. Love for gambling and generally "taking
chances."
6. Smoking and drinking from early age.
7. Intelligence level about normal.
8. Intense dislike for school.
9. Bravado usually concealing acute inferiority
complex.
10. "Low cunning" rather than native
shrewdness.
11. Intense loyalty, particularly to
"gang" and "push" leaders.
12. Intensely materialistic out-look.
13. Abnormally healthy, but not addicted to
vigorous organised sport.
14. Intolerant of supervision or advice.
15. Belongs to "gangs" or "pushes"
- seldom to organised boys' groups, such as Boy Scouts.
16. Tough, domineering exterior usually hides
highly emotional temperament seen in preference for maudlin hillbilly songs,
"B" films, cheap novels.
