NCJ Number
76208
Journal
Indian Psychological Review Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1977) Pages: 10-14
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Case histories of 150 males and 150 female delinquents drawn from juvenile institutions in India were examined to determine the effect of broken and psychologically disrupted homes on delinquency.
Abstract
Many studies have found that delinquency is a symptom of family breakdown. When death or marital conflicts deprive children of affection, security, social opportunities, and physical necessities, they may turn to delinquent gangs for support. Research has also indicated that broken homes have a greater influence on female than male delinquents. Furthermore, psychological disruption, such as unsatisfactory family relations or lack of love, appears to have a more decisive influence on the child's personality than divorce or separation. This study interviewed 300 delinquents matched for age, education, and socioeconomic status from several juvenile institutions and then reviewed their case histories. Of the total sample, 92 males and 138 females were from broken homes. Additional analysis of this subgroup showed that 76 males and 118 females were from psychologically rather than physically disrupted homes. Statistical analysis of the data corroborated findings of earlier studies that broken homes have a greater impact on female delinquents and that psychological disruption is more damaging than family separation for both sexes. Thus, home factors represent the major causal dimension in delinquency in almost all societies. A bibliography of 22 references is included.