NCJ Number
97922
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 19 Issue: 73 Dated: (July 1983) Pages: 20-26
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Interviews with 40 delinquent boys and their parents revealed that an
Abstract
Separate interview schedules were used for the delinquents and their parents. To determine the relationships between the family situation and delinquency, the interviews examined sibling relationships, relationships between the parents, relationships between parents and children, and the attitudes of the children towards their homes. In about 60 percent of the families, the parents felt indifferent toward the child. Almost three-quarters of these parents reported that insufficient time and their occupational status did not permit attention to their children. Discipline tended to be absent, overly strict, or inconsistent. Absence of maternal supervision due to the mother's working outside the home was a factor for 40 percent of the youths. In addition, only 9 of the 17 housewives could exercise normal supervision. Illness or large family size prevented adequate supervision for the others. Parents' physical health problems, drunkenness, delinquency among siblings, and extramarital affairs were factors in about half the families. About 54 percent of the parents were always quarreling. Only 15 percent of the parents were living together relatively compatibly. Poor treatment from stepmothers was another factor for some youths. Five references are listed.