Power‐Control Theory

Abstract

An examination of criminological theories quickly reveals that female criminality has received little attention. Power‐control theory (PCT) represents an early exception to this approach, and as such stands as an important theoretical contribution to criminology. In their development and refinement of PCT, Hagan and colleagues designed a theoretical model that would describe the development of criminality and, perhaps more notably, it recognized and addressed the need to understand differences in criminality across the sexes. Ultimately, PCT provides important insights into how informal social controls influence delinquency patterns among and between male and female children.