NCJ Number
45523
Journal
Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 505-528
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
DATA ON 1,240 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM A MIDDLE-CLASS SUBURB OF A LARGE MIDWESTERN CITY ARE EXAMINED IN A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROKEN HOMES AND SELF-REPORTED DELINQUENCY.
Abstract
THE DATA INDICATE ONLY SMALL EFFECTS OF FAMILY STRUCTURE ON DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR. THE BROKEN HOME APPEARS NOT TO BE A POWERFUL PREDICTOR OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AMONG MIDDLE-CLASS YOUTHS. GRADE AND SEX ARE MORE USEFUL PREDICTORS. METHODOLOGICAL AND THEORETICAL PROBLEMS COMMON TO RESEARCH ON BROKEN HOMES ARE DISCUSSED, AND CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN THE PRESENT FINDINGS AND THOSE OF OTHER RESEARCHERS ARE ANALYZED FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF SPECIFICATION AND SPURIOUSNESS. TABULAR DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-LKM)