NCJ Number
154198
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 527-559
Date Published
1994
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Although "social support" is present as a theme in many criminological writings, it has not been identified explicitly as a concept capable of organizing theory and research in criminology.
Abstract
Drawing on existing criminological and related writings, the author derives a series of propositions that form the foundation, at least in a preliminary way, for the "social support paradigm" of the study of crime and control. The overriding contention is that whether social support is delivered through government social programs, communities, social networks, families, interpersonal relations, or criminal justice system agents, it reduces criminal involvement. The author contends that insofar as the social support paradigm proves to be "good criminology" and establishes that nonsupportive policies and conditions are criminogenic, it can provide grounds for creating a more supportive and good society. 192 references and 14 footnotes