Abstract
Contrary to the compulsive masculinity thesis advanced in the Moynihan Report, the physical absence of the father is found to be unrelated to the self‐reported violent behavior of black and white boys. In general, however, identification with a father figure is a significant barrier to violent behavior. Black and white boys whose fathers have a history of unemployment are more likely to engage in violent behavior than sons of fully employed fathers. The relevance of these findings for social control and cultural deviance theories of delinquency is discussed.