Family Delinquency and Crime

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the main objective of the article "A Closer Look at the Age, Peers, and Delinquency Relationship" by Daniel P. Mears and Samuel H. Field, is to address the issue of delinquency and the factors that influence the actions of delinquents. The paper then reviews and positively critiques the article and asserts that the researchers of the article conducted thorough and targeted research in order to provide their findings in terms of their hypothesis. The paper also points out the results of the research are clear and to the point, demonstrating not only the success of the research hypothesis, but also areas where more research needs to be conducted. The paper concludes that Mears and Field's article demonstrate an understanding of the issues and problems that sometimes lead to criminal activities.

From the Paper:

"The research conducted begins with an examination of work already completed on the target subject. In fact, the question addressed in the paper is an issue arising from work conducted recently. Indeed, the authors find that few theories have been developed to address the effect of age on delinquent peer associations. Most of these theories, according to the authors, address the order in which delinquency and peer association take place. While age does play a role in such accounts, the focus is not on the variations of peer influence with age. This is the gap the authors aim to address.
"In terms of research conducted in terms of age, the authors describe Thornberry's interactional theory, which holds that delinquent peer associations should increase its influence during mid-adolescence, after which it again declines. This theory is based upon social learning theory, which holds that the transition from childhood to adolescence is particularly crucial in forming peer networks. This stage represents an individual's development of identity via peer connections. After this stage, the identity becomes entrenched in an individual's connections with conventional activities and institutions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• A Closer Look at the Age, Peers, and Delinquency Relationship by Daniel P. Mears and Samuel H. Field (in The Western Criminology Review, 2002)

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