Bad, mad or sad: constructions of young people in trouble and implications for interventions1

Abstract

Young people in trouble can be seen as passive victims of circumstance who are in need of help; as individuals responsible for their own behaviour who need to be punished; or as sufferers from medical conditions who require treatment. This paper will examine the history of policy relating to pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in Scotland, noting the continued co‐existence of both punitive and welfare approaches. It is argued that the punitive approach, which construes pupils as deliberately causing trouble, is counter‐productive. Evidence from interviews with pupils will be presented to argue that the pupils internalise the reflected appraisals of the adults around them, with implications for their sense of self. This paper argues for a revitalisation of approaches to young people in trouble which are grounded in a more welfarist approach. The importance at the same time of retaining a sense of the pupils' individual agency is noted. Recent developments in restorative approaches are evaluated as a potential way forward in this respect.