Agressive and problematic behaviours are the main causes for referral to child and adolescent psychiatric care. In some instances, the level of violence can become alarming and requires, beyond immediate containment, the ability to maintain avenues of thought and reflexion. For the purposes of such an endeavour, we will rely first on paleanthropological research findings on the evolution of humanity regarding agression. We will then refer to the contributions of Donald W. Winnicott, pediatrist and psychoanalyst, Philippe Jeammet, child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, and Marie-Rose Moro from the field of transcultural child psychiatry and psychoanalysis, on the topic of violence and agression. Clinical vignettes will illustrate some of this issue’s complexities.