In most cases, parents lovetheir children unconditionally.
But what happens if your child grows up to become a sociopath?
Well, Stephen Scott, a professor of child health and behaviour at the Institute of Psychiatry, believes that identifying children with psychopathic tendencies could make a huge difference to their lives.
And intervening early could also help to alter their impact on society for the better.
Speaking with theMail Online, Professor Scott explains that the characteristics of adult sociopaths can be identified in childhood.
Here are the 12 warning signs that he advises parents to watch out for:
If you fear that your child displays sociopathic tendencies, there is a way to help them.
The Tender Loving Care (TLC) Project, based in South London, offers two weekly sessions with children who show sociopathic traits.
They also offer six sessions with parents (free of charge), to help you better understand your child and monitor their behaviour.
** For information on the TLC Project, call 0207 848 5836 or email tlc@kcl.ac.uk**