Timing Matters: Exploring the Age-Graded Effects of Juvenile Arrest on Educational Attainment

Abstract

Scholars have spent considerable time studying barriers to educational attainment. This work has highlighted the deleterious effects of juvenile arrest on educational attainment but has overlooked the importance of timing of first arrest in this age-graded process. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97), this study examines the age-graded nature of arrest experiences on educational attainment. The analysis reveals that age at first arrest is a predictor of educational outcomes, emphasizing the detrimental effects of early arrests. These findings highlight the importance of addressing juvenile delinquency through supportive interventions rather than punitive measures. Given the current educational and juvenile justice landscape, the implications of this study are even more relevant.