Vietnam veteran Edward Schaefer, 64, was walking last month along 5th Street in Olney, a few blocks from his home, when a group of young thugs jumped him, pummeling him hard enough to fracture his face. Temple psychologist Laurence Steinberg attributed the attacks to the teens' upbringing - or lack thereof.

"Individuals who behave that way typically have been very poorly raised," he said. "Most individuals learn through the course of being socialized by their parents to control their aggressive impulses and to not hurt individuals."