Humans work on quite simple mechanisms.
A thief will only stop stealing if they find out it is not beneficial for them anymore.
A naughty child will only stop being naughty if they realize something unpleasant comes from it.
An abusive husband or wife have no reason to stop their behaviour if you only ask them nicely. Why would they? The situation fits them.
Even criminals were children once.
There is no need to excuse horrible acts of children with "oh, but they are just kids... they'll grow out of it". They will not. It starts at young age and whatever is started then will continue - unless cut right at the start. Whatever we experien