Both groups were administered Form B of Kohlberg's Moral Judgment Interview. Results indicate that fathers' absence had a significant effect on moral development. Boys whose fathers were absent were functioning at Stage 1 or 2 of the preconventional level, while boys whose fathers had been present were functioning between the upper stage of the preconventional level and the lower stage of the conventional level. Subjects whose fathers were absent and those who had committed violent crimes were functioning at lower levels than those whose fathers were present or those who had committed nonviolent crimes, but there was no relationship between fathers' absence and violent crime per se. Compared to norms, delinquents in both groups showed lower levels of moral development. 3 tables and 20 references.