Mother's versus father's role in causing delinquency.

This study examines parent-child relationships and self-reported delinquent behavior in a sample of over 700 adolescents and indicates that males are more delinquent than females, and that both males and females are closer to their mother than to their father, but that closeness to father is the better predictor of delinquent behavior.

Abstract

This study examines parent-child relationships and self-reported delinquent behavior in a sample of over 700 adolescents. Family structure is controlled, and males and females are examined separately. Results indicate that males are more delinquent than females, that the gender of the adolescent is not related to the strength of parental attachment, that both males and females are closer to their mother than to their father, but that closeness to father is the better predictor of delinquent behavior--especially among the males. Finally, it is suggested that a revision of the conceptualization of parental attachment may make it a more useful variable in explaining delinquency.