The variables studied included paternal crime, family patterns of stability, and socioeconomic status changes over the life of the children. The findings showed that divorce followed by a stable family constellation was not associated with an increased risk of delinquency or criminality, although divorce followed by other destabilizing family changes did increase the risk. Age at onset of criminality was not related to stability patterns. Male children experiencing continuing family instability during adolescence were especially at risk. Paternal crime and downward trends in socioeconomic status were both associated with offspring crime. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 50 references (Author abstract modified)