NCJ Number
147199
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 4 Dated: (1966) Pages: 411-417
Date Published
1966
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between juvenile delinquency and father's occupational status, characteristics of the father's discipline, and the frequency of involvement with peers.
Abstract
The Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study obtained data on youth brought to court for one or more juvenile offenses. The data encompassed the three independent variables. Findings from the study support the theory of delinquency causation proposed in this article. Delinquent behavior is the consequence of learning a pattern of culture that supports the violation of law. There is variation in outcome according to the content of the culture learned, the context in which the culture is learned, and the nature of experiences by which the culture is learned. The demonstration of interactive effects shows that the effects of experiences in the family and the gang on the learning of delinquent behavior are dependent on the socioeconomic status of the group. Culture specifies the conditions under which family and gang experiences have a delinquency- producing impact. Socioeconomic status intensifies the relationship of delinquency to parental rejection and discipline at lower status levels. It intensifies the relationship of delinquency with the frequency of peer activity at higher status levels. 4 tables and 20 footnotes