Return to type?: Problems in the identification of ‘antisocial behaviours’ in children and young people

This article critically examines the contents of an Executive Summary of a recent study of ‘antisocial behaviour’ among a cohort of adolescents in Victoria. It is argued that in both theoretical and methodological terms the study suffers from a number of serious shortcomings that may have serious implications for certain populations if ensuing policies are translated into practice. Additionally, the general theoretical trajectory of the study fits into the new culture of ‘risk management’ which also has important implications for those populations defined by the powerful as aberrant or troublesome.