Infraccions and Paternity

Abstract

Various psychoanalytical concepts have been used to explain the origin of criminal acts during adolescence. The debate between social psychology and psychoanalysis presented in this article highlights the lack of understanding on the part of some psychoanalysts who attribute the absence of a parent as the lone cause for adolescent criminal behavior. Furthermore, the complexity of the phenomenon and related concepts are discussed in detail. The belief that the absence of a parent is the sole determinant of criminal behavior in adolescents oversimplifies the problem and disregards relevant social factors that are invaluable parts of a comprehensive analysis.

Keywords

• psychoanalysis
• law
• adolescence
• paternity
• society