Siblings and Delinquent Behavior - An Exploratory Study of a Neglected Family Variable

• NCJ Number: 85178
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (August 1982) Pages: 223-239
• Author(s): K Wilkinson; B G Stitt; M L Erickson
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This exploratory article examines the relation between sibling structure (sex of siblings and birth order) and self-reported delinquency.

Abstract

The processes of contrast and imitation, conceptual notions derived from research on sibling structure and sex roles, are used to guide this exploration. Considerable variation in delinquency by sibling status was identified. There are indications that an interaction effect exists between birth order and sex of siblings relative to rates of delinquency. (Publisher abstract)