Youth misbehaviour: its nature, extent, related risk factors and explanations -- Introduction and terminology dilemma -- A historical perspective of the youth offender -- The nature and extent of child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa -- Criminogenic risk factors for youth offenders -- The sociomoral redirection of troubled youth -- Traditional theoretical explanations for youth misbehaviour -- Contemporary theoretical explanations for youth misbehaviour -- A historical review of approaches to understanding female youth misbehaviour -- Youth in contact with criminal justice -- The prevention and control of youth misbehaviour in South Africa -- Diversion programmes -- Juvenile offenders in South African criminal law -- Current policy and practice, and future prospects -- Evidence-based research pertaining to youth at risk -- Child trafficking in South Africa -- Child prostitution -- The impact of HIV/Aids on the participation of children in crime -- Concluding thoughts.