Primary Caregiver Influence on Youth Correctional Misconduct

Caregiver Type and Gang Involvement: A Comparison of Female and Male Gang Members

“…Much of the extant literature investigating juvenile delinquency and gang membership has focused on risk factors associated with one's family and home life. Research suggests that family structure and other characteristics can impact a juvenile's propensity to engage in delinquent behavior (Scott et al 2022) or join a gang (Lenzi et al 2015;Wood et al 1997). Households in which there is poor parental involvement, a lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline have been shown to increase the likelihood of youth gang membership (Lenzi et al 2015;Wood et al 1997) and participation in delinquent or criminal behavior (Jacobsen and Zaatut 2022;Scott et al 2022;Williams et al 1997).…”

“…Research suggests that family structure and other characteristics can impact a juvenile's propensity to engage in delinquent behavior (Scott et al 2022) or join a gang (Lenzi et al 2015;Wood et al 1997). Households in which there is poor parental involvement, a lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline have been shown to increase the likelihood of youth gang membership (Lenzi et al 2015;Wood et al 1997) and participation in delinquent or criminal behavior (Jacobsen and Zaatut 2022;Scott et al 2022;Williams et al 1997). Kakar (1998) argued that caregivers who struggled to manage the behavior of youths exhibited problem behaviors themselves, allowed conflicts and fighting to occur within the family, and supported attitudes favorable towards criminal behavior, fostered the development of delinquency in juveniles.…”

“…If consistent supervision and discipline are necessary to reduce the risk of engaging in delinquent behavior, then certain family types may be perceived as more equipped to provide such characteristics (Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990;Jacobsen and Zaatut 2022). In comparison to other family structures, scholars have long argued that juveniles who reside in two-parent households are at a reduced risk of engaging in delinquent behavior because they are likely to experience a higher level of supervision and monitoring than juveniles who reside in single-parent households, with a biological parent and stepparent, or an extended family member such as a custodial grandparent, aunt/uncle, or older sibling (also known as kinship care) (Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990;Jacobsen and Zaatut 2022;Scott et al 2022). Two-parent households, or intact families, are argued to be in the best position to care for and support the needs of developing juveniles, oftentimes with higher incomes and more resources than other family types (Brannigan et al 2002;Jacobsen and Zaatut 2022;Mack et al 2007;Wong 2017).…”