South Africa has a broad and complex history that has greatly influenced the unique, diverse and democratic country that we know today. One of the many challenges South Africa faces is crime, with those crimes committed by youthful offenders being the most distressing - it is sadly not unusual to hear of youths who have been involved in murder, rape or robbery. In addition, sexual offences among children are occurring more frequently, and the number of child victims of abuse and domestic violence is also on the rise. An added and escalating danger for children is falling prey to ruthless traffickers and being used as sex workers or slaves. Despite specific laws having been promulgated to protect them, many children are still growing up in unforgiving environments that never allow them the opportunity to develop morally according to the prescriptions of a democratic society. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa addresses the complex and poorly understood phenomenon of youth misbehaviour. It discusses and analyses various theories on the nature and causes of deviant behaviour, and assesses them critically with regard to their applicability to South Africa. The book presents the relevant legal processes pertaining to young people, and reinforces theoretical explanations with research and real-world examples. The female youth offender is also discussed in depth in this edition. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa is aimed at enabling both practitioners and students to address the plight of the South African youth in a constructive way so they can become part of creating a safer South Africa for all its people. Professor Christiaan Bezuidenhout holds a BA (Criminology), BA Honours (Criminology), MA (Criminology), DPhil (Criminology) and an MSc (Criminology and Criminal Justice) from the University of Oxford. He is currently attached to the Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria, where he teaches psychocriminology, criminal justice and contemporary criminology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In an ideal world, all children would grow up in a stable, nurturing and healthy home. However, the reality is that globally, many bear the brunt of conflicts, trafficking, poverty, sexual victimisation, broken families, school disruption and harming cultural practices. Socialisation structures to teach children the fundamental moral values of right and wrong are often absent, and children spend too many hours on social media platforms or playing games on smart devices, which affects their physical, emotional and psychological development. It is therefore hardly surprising that the world is seeing an increase in youth offenders. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa addresses the complex and poorly understood phenomenon of juvenile misbehaviour and the factors that cause these activities.

Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa discusses and analyses various presumptions on the nature and causes of aberrant behaviour and assesses them critically with regard to their applicability to South Africa. It presents the relevant legal processes pertaining to young people and reinforces theoretical explanations with research and real-world examples. The female youth offender is also given special attention in this book.

Contents include the following:

• Nature and extent of child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa
• Risk factors pertaining to youth offenders
• Socio-moral redirection of troubled youth
• Adverse childhood experiences and youth misbehaviour
• Traditional and contemporary theoretical explanations for youth misbehaviour
• Prevention and control of youth misbehaviour in South Africa
• Child Justice Act: practice and procedure
• Child trafficking and child prostitution in South Africa

Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa is aimed at enabling both practitioners and students to address the plight of the South African youth in a constructive way and so become part of creating a safer South Africa for its people.

While crime on the whole is a matter of grave concern in South Africa, crime involving juvenile offenders is particularly so and it is on the rise. Sexual offences among children are occurring more frequently, and children are increasingly being trafficked and used as sex workers or slaves. Despite specific laws having been promulgated to protect them, sexual abuse of children and neglect are rife, with many children growing up in a very unforgiving environment that never allows them the opportunity to develop morally according to the prescriptions of a democratic society. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa addresses the complex and poorly understood phenomenon of juvenile misbehaviour. It discusses and analyses various theories on the nature and causes of aberrant behaviour, and assesses them critically with regard to their applicability to South Africa. In order to understand the youth misbehaviour problem as it manifests in this country, it is essential that the position of youths be understood. Solutions may be found by considering the following: The difficulty in demarcating the position of children in South Africa; The local risk factors associated with juvenile misbehaviour; The effective processing and treatment of youthful offenders by the South African criminal justice system; Preventive measures based on constitutional guidelines. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa is aimed at enabling both practitioners and students to address the plight of the South African youth in a constructive way and so become part of creating a safer South Africa for its people.

Understanding Psychopathology: South African Perspectives 3e provides a solid introduction to the study of mental disorders that incorporates socio-cultural, psychological and biomedical dimensions. It refers to criteria from both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) and the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD–10) to describe and define mental disorders. It also looks at the ICD–11, and how this new version has been harmonised with the DSM–5.

The third edition of this book, previously published as Abnormal Psychology revised second edition, presents South African debates and data to ensure that it is relevant to the local context. In addition, research from the rest of Africa has been integrated into the book to show how other countries in our region are grappling with topical issues.

This book is aimed at second- and third-year students following courses in Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology as part of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at Universities. It has been written by academics and practitioners from across South Africa.