Psychologist's view: Children carry a knife because they lack warmth and discipline at home - The Observer 18th May 2008

All the young men say they carry knives 'for protection'. It is not a convincing argument. Young people who offend often have poorly developed verbal skills which can make reasoning with others difficult. They may never have learned the principles of sharing and co-operation. The way they think may attribute hostile intentions to other people's behaviour where there were none. Given these sort of difficulties, carrying knives to threaten and harm others can be seen as an easier option.

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