Examining the Empirical Link between Working Antisocial Mothers and Children’s Deviance

• In Event: Parental and Family Influences on the Development of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior

Abstract

Criminologists have consistently found support regarding intergenerational criminality. The inconsistency in the literature lies in figuring out which factors are most strongly influencing this pattern of criminality and self-control from one generation to the next. While some biosocial researchers argue that it is the interaction between genetics and environment which predicts this criminal pattern within families, others place more focus on environmental factors. This study draws from psychological literature to examine the relationship between parenting, specifically employed mothers, and children’s antisocial behavior. Some scholars have reported that the absence of antisocial parents may actually improve children’s outcomes (i.e., children with antisocial parents may benefit from spending less time with them). Therefore, this study examines whether children of antisocial mothers who are away from home due to employment have better behavioral outcomes compared to children with antisocial mothers who are unemployed and at home for longer periods of time.

Authors

• Lydie Ravone Loth, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati