Family Strain, Gender, and Delinquency

Abstract

In the last decade, Robert Agnew's general strain theory (GST) of delinquency has received considerable empirical attention, with most studies yielding favorable evidence. One aspect of GST neglected by researchers, however, concerns its ability to explain why certain demographic variables are related to delinquency. This article reports such a test of GST with respect to the gender-delinquency relationship in particular—one of the strongest relationships in delinquency research. The focus is on family-related strain faced by adolescents and how it may account for the gender gap in delinquency. Building on the work of Broidy and Agnew, and using questionnaire data collected from a sample of urban adolescents, this study tests three GST explanations for males' higher involvement in delinquency. The results of the analysis suggest that the gender gap in delinquency may be closely linked to gender differences in both the experience of and response to family-related strain.

The moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between stressful life events and delinquent behavior

“…Many of the main concepts pertaining to GST have been thoroughly tested, most specifically, the direct relationship between strain and delinquency. Overall, the research has consistently found a positive relationship between strain and delinquent behavior (e.g., Agnew, 2002;Agnew et al, 2002;Agnew & White, 1992;Aseltine et al, 2000;Brezina, Piquero, & Mazerolle, 2001;Hay, 2003;Paternoster & Mazerolle, 1994). Indeed, in almost every published test of GST, at least one measure of strain has been found to positively influence delinquency.…”

“…Research has failed to find consistent support for the conditioning hypothesis of GST in explaining delinquency (e.g., Agnew & White, 1992;Aseltine et al, 2000;Brezina, 1996;Hay, 2003;Hoffmann & Miller, 1998;Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000;Paternoster & Mazerolle, 1994;Piquero & Sealock, 2000;Robbers, 2004). A number of possible conditioning factors have been examined including social support (e.g., Robbers, 2004), self-esteem (e.g., Hoffmann & Miller, 1998), depression (e.g., Piquero & Sealock, 2000), anger (e.g., Hay, 2003), delinquent peer exposure (e.g., Piquero & Sealock, 2004), religiosity (e.g., Jang & Johnson, 2005), and others.…”

“…A number of possible conditioning factors have been examined including social support (e.g., Robbers, 2004), self-esteem (e.g., Hoffmann & Miller, 1998), depression (e.g., Piquero & Sealock, 2000), anger (e.g., Hay, 2003), delinquent peer exposure (e.g., Piquero & Sealock, 2004), religiosity (e.g., Jang & Johnson, 2005), and others. Empirical support for the GST conditioning hypothesis varies depending on the strain, conditioning, and outcome variables measured; the sample composition; and the research design.…”

“…For example, studies by Hay (2003) and Mazerolle (1998) found that males had higher rates of delinquency partially because they were more likely than females to experience harsh punishment. In addition, using a sample of detained juveniles, Piquero and Sealock (2004) found that household abuse was more likely to lead to delinquency for males than females.…”

“…Conversely, findings are mixed with regard to the role of conditioning effects on the strain-delinquency relationship. (e.g., Agnew, Brezina, Wright, & Cullen, 2002;Agnew & White, 1992;Aseltine, Gore, & Gordon, 2000;Hay, 2003;Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000;Piquero & Sealock, 2000).…”