Research results show that family structure is not as important a factor in juvenile crime as has commonly been assumed. Broken families and one-parent households, for example, are significantly related only to status offenses, which in many countries are not considered delinquency. On the other hand, overwhelming evidence indicates the importance of family discipline as a variable in delinquency. Monitoring child behavior, recognizing and punishing deviant actions, setting and enforcing clear rules, and negotiating disagreements are crucial parental tasks in the prevention of delinquency. Family support including caring, trust, and communications also plays an important part. Significantly, in the 20th Century, this type of parental control has eroded: In today's permissive society, where both parents frequently work outside the home, juveniles experience more autonomy, fewer rules, and more hours without adult supervision. Possible solutions to this problem include more professional adult supervision (e.g., day-care centers, after-school programs), parenting classes, and special support (e.g., Head Start) for disadvantaged families. 55 references