Beyond the bond: The role of romantic relationships in female reentry

• In Event: Rutgers 50th Anniversary: The Progression of Research on Gender in Criminology

Abstract

Despite the growth of reentry literature in recent decades, little is known regarding the role romantic partners play in the process of transitioning back into the community. While there is a well-developed literature regarding the “good marriage” effect on desistance, studies have been conducted with only or mostly male samples and in social contexts where marriage is considered normative. However, feminist literature suggests that romantic partners could serve as potential sources of criminogenic influence. Using data from the Reintegration, Desistance, and Recidivism Among Female Inmates in Chile study, I analyze the association between being in a romantic relationship and the likelihood of recidivism and explore whether this relationship depends on the characteristics of the relationships, the partners’ behavior, and the specific pathways of women into incarceration. The results indicate that being involved in a romantic relationship is not associated with recidivism, but partners' antisocial and prosocial behaviors are consistent correlates of recidivism. These findings challenge the generalizability of life course criminological theory and underscore the importance of incorporating a feminist perspective into research on reentry and desistance.

Author

• Pilar Larroulet, Rutgers University