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Father-Son Relationships and Violent Behavior

NCJ Number
104862
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 65-78
Author(s)
D Brownfield
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Contrary to the compulsive masculinity thesis advanced in the Moynihan Report, the physical absence of the father is found to be unrelated to the self-reported violent behavior of black and white boys.
Abstract
In general, however, identification with a father figure is a significant barrier to violent behavior. Black and white boys whose fathers have a history of unemployment are more likely to engage in violent behavior than sons of fully employed fathers. The relevance of these findings for social control and cultural deviance theories of delinquency is discussed. (Publisher abstract)