Familial Factors in Delinquency: A Developmental Perspective

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Abstract
This paper presents a developmental perspective on the role of the family-and, in particular, the role of parental neglect-in the onset of juvenile delinquency. It is argued that the family's role in delinquency is best understood when distinctions are made among preadolescent onset, early adolescent onset, and middle adolescent onset delinquents, because the antecedent and concurrent conditions that produce delinquency are quite different across the three groups. Specifically, it is suggested that a lack of parental monitoring is associated with middle adolescent onset delinquency, an excess of parental permissiveness with early adolescent onset delinquency, and early disruption in the parent-child relationship with preadolescent onset delinquency. The implications of these propositions for theory, research, and practice in the area of delinquency prevention are discussed.