Mentoring to reduce antisocial behaviour in childhood

It is my hypothesis that human evolution is currently identifiable as
the "secular trend," the increase in size and earlier onset of puberty
occurring in our children. Based on my work, "Androgens in Human
Evolution," (Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum 2001; 94: 345-362), the
secular trend represents a change in our population. That is, I suggest
the secular trend actually is an increase in the percentage of individuals
of higher testosterone. The increase in percentage of individuals of
higher testosterone brings with it an increase in the characteristics of
these individuals. I suggest one of these characteristics is the increase
in "antisocial behavior." Roberts, et al., would not be writing about
this if it were not increasing.

I suggest most of the negative behaviors that are increasing within
our population actually may be reducible to increased lack of impulse
control. I think this lack of impulse control results from reduced
development of the advanced prefrontal lobes, the part of the brain which
actually makes us different from other animals. "Antisocial behaviors"
are behaviors which are not controlled. High testosterone has been
connected with increased lack of impulse control.

A mentor may act as a source of impulse control for young people who
cannot control their impulses. When that mentor is absent, impulse
control wanes. Some individuals may "learn" to control impulses, if their
brains are sufficiently developed. The degree of effect of "mentoring,"
therefore, relies on brain development. If the brain is underdeveloped,
mentoring will have no effect in absentia. Therefore, mentoring should
sometimes works.

If my hypothesis is correct, mentoring will increasingly fail. I
agree with Helen Roberts, et al., that we must be careful of the use of
our precious time and treasure for programs that may not be working and,
of those that "work," may fail in the future.

It is also a part of my work that the secular trend will also
generate increases in "belief systems." Belief systems are acts of
impulse, that is, they are not based on consideration of evidence.
Without evidence, support of "mentoring" as a means to control increasing
antisocial behavior among our young is a "belief system." If my
hypothesis is correct, this will eventually affect the groups of
individuals who are elected to public office. More of our governmental
control will be based on belief systems and our taxes will be used
according to belief systems, not real evidence.

Competing interests:
None declared