I’ve Got 99 Problems and Crime is Just One

• In Event: DLC Investigations of Substance Use, Sexual Behavior, and 'Other Problems'

Abstract

The generality of deviance perspective recognizes the linkage between a wide-range of deviant behaviors and offending. An emerging line of research has highlighted the need to develop a theory of the “generality of failure” noting that “failing at crime” (experiencing an arrest) is related to a broader range of failures later on in life such as getting a sexually-transmitted disease, experiencing high rates of employment turnover, and experiencing failed personal relationships. However, the “generality of failure” perspective implies that the reverse is also true as early life failures should be linked to failing at crime (being arrested) later in life. Using data from Pathways to Desistence, we apply the “generality of failure” perspective to examine how early life failure relates to police contact over time while controlling for a wide range of criminogenic factors. Results show that greater life failures at wave one – such as cheating in school, experiencing precocious pregnancy, and engaging in other risky behaviors – significantly relates to “failing at crime” across time. These findings remain even after accounting for factors that should explain away this relationship including self-reported criminal behavior and other key predictors such as low self-control, social support, and friendship quality.

Author

• Samantha Kopf, Bowling Green State University