Family as Context for Delinquency Prevention - Demographic Trends and Political Realities (From Families, Schools, and Delinquency Prevention, P 3-26, 1987, James Q Wilson and Glenn C Loury, eds. - See NCJ-105609)

• NCJ Number: 105610
• Author(s): G C Loury
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Springer-Verlag
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This paper reviews research pertaining to family factors that prevent and influence delinquent behavior, reviews changes in family structure in America over the last few decades, and considers research purporting to explain racial differences in family instability.

Abstract

Research reveals no direct relationship between household composition (two-parent, single-parent, and multiadult) and family socioeconomic status and a child's likelihood of delinquency. Evidence suggests that the quality of parent-child interaction is closely linked to a family's success or failure in rearing nondelinquent children. An examination of changes in family structure in America over the last few decades indicates that female family heads have become both more numerous and younger among both blacks and whites, but especially among blacks. There are a number of alternative explanations for the disparity in family structure among racial groups, but none are supported by compelling evidence. Longitudinal studies of the relevant populations should be conducted to ascertain the interaction of subgroup cultural factors, economic opportunities, and government policies. 63 references.