Youth Employment, Crime, and Schooling: A Longitudinal Study of a National Sample

• NCJ Number: 110956
• Journal: Developmental Psychology Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1985) Pages: 419-432
• Author(s): D C Gottfredson
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data from a national study of delinquency prevention programs are used to examine the effect of working on delinquent behavior.

Abstract

In the spring of 1981 and 1982, samples of students attending participating schools were asked to report their work experiences and the extent of their involvement in delinquent activities during the last year. Regression analysis is used to examine the effect of working while attending secondary school on 1982 self-reported delinquency. Evidence implies that teenage working does not increase delinquency and does not have a detrimental effect on commitment to education, extracurricular activity involvement, time spent on homework, attachment to school, or attachment to parents. It is suggested that working decreases school attendance and dependence on parents for some subgroups, but these effects are not translated into increases in delinquency. Data tables and about 40 references. (Author abstract modified)