NCJ Number
139816
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 50-56
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This review of the research literature analyzes the possibility that getting married and having a family reduces the likelihood of criminal offense and recidivism.
Abstract
Two sets of studies are examined: studies that explore the possibility that those persons who establish families as they enter adulthood are less likely to commit crimes than those who maintain solitary lifestyles; and studies that examine how family-life involvement on the part of convicted adult criminals may inhibit the likelihood of continued criminal activities. No clearly confirming findings emerge to demonstrate that getting married and having children reduces the likelihood of criminal offense. However, research that examines the quality of the marital relationship reports an association between attachment to spouse and a decrease in the likelihood of adult criminality. The research literature fails to clarify whether marriage and family helps offenders and high risk individuals to make a transition to a more conventional lifestyle or whether, with age, offenders make the shift to a conventional lifestyle and appreciate more the value of family life. 41 references