A Theoretical and Empirical Assessment of Power-Control Theory and Single-Mother Families

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Abstract
Power-control theory states that relative power in the workplace conditions patterns of parental control of children in two-parent families, resulting in gender differences in rates of nonserious delinquency. Additionally, single mothers, regardless of their occupational power, control and socialize their sons and daughters similarly and effect a small delinquency gender gap. In the present study, the authors applied the traditional power-control theory and an extended power-control theory to two data sets on single-mother families to empirically test these assertions. As predicted by power-control theory, they found no gender difference in delinquency once the relevant variables were controlled for in the analysis. Consistent with the extended revise model, however, delinquent offending increased for females who associate with delinquent peers. This relationship also appears to be conditioned by structural factors.