Family structure, the behavior of family members, and the physical health of family members during a person’s childhood and adolescence are the broad areas of his/her family life that determine the risk level for the person becoming a criminal and/or terrorist. Factors in the family structure that increase the risk level are separated parents, poverty, parents’ low educational and cultural levels, an unhealthy physical and social environment, a marriage between family members, migration, and having criminals in the family. Parental behaviors that increase the risk for a child or youth engaging in criminal behaviors are selfishness, egotism, dishonesty, violence, and the physical and emotional abuse of spouses and children. The physical and mental health of the family also has an impact on children’s and youths’ risk level for crime and terrorism. Parents, particularly mothers, who are physically and mentally unhealthy, are unable to give children the care and nurturing they need for positive mental and behavioral development. The sexual health of the parents is also important, since poor sexual health between parents tends to produce a negative mood and social environment in the home. There is evidence that in recruiting individuals for their organizations, terrorists focus on an individual’s family life. Individuals with a family life that undermines bonding among family members gives terrorist organizations the opportunity to become the close-knit and attentive family that the individual never had. The hunger for love, attention, and sense of self-worth is met by involvement in the common purpose, closeness, and behavioral goals of the terrorist organization. The issues discussed in this paper are based on a review of relevant literature. 1 table and 29 references