NCJ Number
45519
Journal
Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 487-504
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG RACE, FATHER ABSENCE, AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR ARE EXPLORED IN A SURVEY OF 5,545 STUDENTS (4,077 RESPONSES) ENTERING JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN WESTERN COSTA COUNTY, CALIF., IN 1964.
Abstract
MOST DISCUSSIONS OF THE INFLUENCE OF FATHER ABSENCE ON DELINQUENCY FOCUS ON THE RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF FATHER ABSENCE AMONG BLACKS. HOWEVER, FOR THE FOUR DELINQUENT OFFENSES CONSIDERED IN THE PRESENT STUDY (THEFT, AUTO TRESPASS, VANDALISM, AND ASSAULT), FATHER ABSENCE HAD A DETRIMENTAL INFLUENCE ONLY FOR WHITES, ESPECIALLY WHITE FEMALES. THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT AMONG BLACK FEMALES WAS THE FAVORABLE INFLUENCE OF FATHER ABSENCE. PARENTAL CONTROL HAS SIMILAR EFFECTS FOR BLACKS AND WHITES ON DELINQUENCY AND ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FATHER ABSENCE AND DELINQUENCY. FOR ALL FEMALES, A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOTHER PROTECTS AGAINST DELINQUENCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FATHER IS ABSENT. THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT POLICIES WHICH REDUCE THE STIGMA OF FATHER ABSENCE FOR WHITE GIRLS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN REDUCING DELINQUENCY DUE TO FATHER ABSENCE THAN POLICIES FOCUSING ON THE REDUCTION OF MALE UNEMPLOYMENT. A LIST OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-LKM)