NCJ Number
222209
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 134-157
Date Published
April 2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
In this study, Hirchi’s social bonding theory was used to identify what aspects of the theory could explain male and female delinquency, and whether social bonding variables could equally explain delinquency in a developing society, Turkey.
Abstract
The finding suggests that social bonding variables play a more important role for male students than for female students. Furthermore, they indicate that components of the social bonding theory can equally explain both male and female delinquent acts. Results imply that even when Western measures of social bonding variables are used, social bonding theory plays an equal role in the explanation of male and female delinquency in a non-Western society; theories developed in one society may be applicable to other societies, regardless of geographical location. When the level of social bonding elements is high it is less likely that both males and females will commit delinquent behavior. Also, social bonding variables play a more important role for males than for females. Among males, school commitment, family supervision, beliefs, and attachment to delinquent friends are the most consistent variables. Conventionality of peers, past term GPA, district, and type of high school are not associated with any of the dependent variables. For females, respect for police, family supervision, belief, and attachment to delinquent friends are the most consistent variables. The study did not cover some types of delinquent behavior, for example, drug use or property delinquency. Therefore, gender differences may exist between males and females in the relationship between social bonding variables and some other types of delinquent behaviors; this can bias the results. The study was limited only to one city, which cannot be considered representative of Turkish society as a whole. Data were collected from 1,710 high school students in the city of Ankara in June 2001. Tables, references