Social and home environment contributes to the development of antisocial behavior. In one large study, the homes of delinquent children were frequently disrupted by divorce, separation or the absence of a parent. Depriving a young child of a significant emotional bond could damage their ability to form intimate and trusting relationships, as well as appropriate or sustaining emotional attachments to adult figures.

Erratic or inappropriate discipline and inadequate supervision have been linked to antisocial behavior in children. Involved parents tend to monitor their child’s behavior, setting rules and seeing that they are obeyed, checking on the child’s whereabouts, and steering them away from troubled playmates. Good supervision is less likely in broken homes because parents may not be available.

A child who grows up in a disturbed home may be emotionally injured. Without having developed strong bonds, they are self-absorbed and indifferent to others. The lack of consistent discipline results in little regard for rules and delayed gratification. They lack appropriate role models and learn to use aggression to solve disputes. They fail to develop empathy and concern for those around them.

Antisocial children tend to choose similar children as playmates. This association pattern usually develops during the elementary school years, when peer group acceptance and the need to belong first become important. Aggressive children are the most likely to be rejected by their peers, and this rejection drives social outcasts to form bonds with one another. These relationships can encourage and reward aggression and other antisocial behavior.