FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: A REVIEW OF THEORIES

Oluwadare Oladipo OGUNTOMISIN

Abstract

This paper sets out to use the blend of interactional theory, family communication patterns theory as well as primary socialization theory to theorize the trajectory of juvenile delinquency. The paper argues that a possible trajectory of juvenile delinquency may be one which proceeds from the manner in which parents communicate with their juvenile children and terminates with the influence of “peer cluster”. Based on the propositions of family communication theory, the author argues that conformity orientation will engender a lack of attachment or bond with parents which will predispose a child to having his or her peers as dominant source of influence in his or her life. Primary socialization theory suggests that a gap between parents and juveniles enables a social environment for peer clusters to dictates the outcome of such juveniles. On the bases of primary socialization theory, the paper submits a conceptual framework to work out a theoretical pathway for juvenile delinquency.

Keywords

Family Communication, Juvenile delinquency, Juveniles, Peer cluster, Parents

Full Text:

PDF

References

Al- Matalka, F.I.M & Hussainat, M.M. (2012). Juvenile delinquency and family environment in Jordan, Journal of Sociological Research 3 (2), 599 – 617.

Aborisade, R.O.(2016). Crime and Delinquency: A Sociological Introduction. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.

Augustine, O.B. (2012). Juvenile delinquency in Ghana: A qualitative study of lived experiences of young offenders in Accra. A Master’s Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Asuza, C, C & Tondo, M, J. (2009). The influence of peer pressure and parent- child communication on initiation of teenage sexual activity among secondary school students in Benue State. Nigeria Journal of applied psychology, 10/11(2/1) 75-90.

Boakye, K.E. (2013). Correlates and predictors of juvenile delinquency in Ghana. International journal of Comparative and Applied criminal justice, 37( 4) 257-278

Bakar, S. H. A; Wahab, H.A & Islam, R.M. (2015). Parental attachment for at-risk children’s antisocial behaviour: A case of Malaysia. Child Care in Practice, DOI:10.1080/13575279.2015.1074541

Clark, M.A. (2015). Family communication patterns and adolescent emotional well-being: Cross classification of mother child and father-child interactions. Thesis. Oregon State University.

Davalos, D.B; Chavez; E. L & Guiadiola, R. (2005). Cultural diversity and ethnic minority Psychology 11.

Davidson, M.T and Cardemil, V.E.(2009). Parent-child communication and parental involvement in Latino adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence. 29(1)99-121

Goncy; E.A. & Van Dulmen, M.H.M. (2010). Fathers do make a difference: Parental movement and adolescent alcohol use. Fathering 8 (1) 93 – 108.

Gove, W.R & Crutchfield, R.D. (1982). The sociological Quarterly, 23, pp. 301-319.

Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Haynie, D.L & Osgood, D.W. (2005). Reconsidering Peers and Delinquency: How do Peers matter? Social forces 84(2), 1109-1123.

Higgins, G.E, Ricketts, M.L, Marcum, C.D & Mahoney, M. (2014). Primary socialization theory: An exploratory study of delinquent trajectories. A Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society, 23(2), 133-146.

Huang (1999). Family communication patterns and personality characteristics. Communication Quarterly, 47( 2) 230-243.

Jang, S.J. (1999). Age- varying effects of family, school, and peers on delinquency: A multi-level modeling test of interactional theory. Criminology 37 (3), 643 – 685.

Johnson, J.H. 2005. Examining family structure and parenting processes as predictors of delinquency in African –American adolescent females. An Msc Project submitted to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Juby, H. & Farrington, D.P. (2001). Disentangling the link between disrupted families and delinquency. British Journal of Criminology, 41, 22- 40.

Koerner, A.F & Schrodt, P. (2014). An introduction to the special issue, on family communication patterns theory. Journal of family communication (4), 1 – 15.

Koerner, A.F. & Fitzpatrick, M.A. (2004). Communication in intact families. In A.L. Vangelish (ed) Handbook of family Communication. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associate Publishers pp. 177-196

Koerner, A.F. and Fitzpatrick, M.A. (2002). Understanding family communication patterns and family functioning: the roles of conversation orientation and conformity orientation. Communication Yearbook 26.1:36-68.

Koerner, A.F. & Schrodt, P. (2014). An introduction to the special issue on family communication patterns theory. Journal of family communication, 14 1- 15.

McGuigan, W.M; Vunchinich, & Ya Tan, C. (2014). Negative communication behaviours during family problem solving: cohesion as moderator in a growth curve analysis. Journal of Family Communication 14, 95 – 111.

Moitra, T. & Mukhergee, I. (2010). Does parenting behavior impact delinquency: A comparative study of delinquents and non-delinquents. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences 5 (2). 274 – 285.

Monahan, K.C, Cauffman, E & Steinberg, L. (2009). Affiliation with antisocial peers’ susceptibility to peer influence, and antisocial behaviour during the transition to adulthood. Developmental psychology, 45(6), 1520-1530.

Oetting, E.R & Donnermeyer, J.F. (1998). Primary socialization theory: the etiology of drug use and deviance. Substance use & Misuse, 33(4), 995-1026.

Pardini, D.A, Loeber, R. & Stouthamer-lober, M (2005). Developmental shifts in parents and peer influences on boy’s beliefs about delinquent behaviour. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 15(3) 299-323.

Poduthase, H. (2012). Parent-adolescent relationship and juvenile delinquency in Kerala, India: A qualitative study. A PhD thesis, College of Social Work, The University of Utah.

Rankin, J.H & Kern, R. (1994). Parental attachments and delinquency. Criminology, 14 (4), 495 – 515.

Rankin, J.H & Wells, L.E. (1990). The effect of parental attachments and direct controls on delinquency. Journal of research in Crime and Delinquency, 27 (2), 140 – 165.

Rueter, M.A. & Koerner, A.F. (2008). The effect of family communication patterns on adopted adolescent adjustment. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70, 715-727.

Rosenbaum, J. (1989). Family dysfunction and delinquency. Crime and Delinquency, 35, 31-44.

Sanni, K.B; Udoh, N, A; Okediji, A.A.; Modo, F.N. and Ezeh, L.N. (2010). Family types and juvenile delinquency issues among secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: Counselling implications. Journal of Social Science. 23 (1) 21 – 28.

Shields, G & Clark, R.D. (2015). Family correlates of delinquency: cohesion and adaptability. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare 27, 93-105.

Simoes, C; Matos, M.G & Batista – Fogvet, J.M (2008). Juvenile delinquency: Analysis of risk and protective factors using quantitative and quantitative methods. Cognition, Brain, behavior: An Inter disciplinary journal. XII (4) 390 – 407.

Smith, C.A. & Stern, S.B. (1997). Delinquency and anti social behavior: A review of family processes and intervention research. Social Service review 71 (3) pp.382 – 420.

Thornberry, T.P & Krohn, M.D (eds.) (2004). Taking stock of delinquency: An overview of findings from contemporary longitudinal studies. Moscow: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Thornberry, T. P; Lizotte, A,J; Krohn, M.D; Farnworth, M & Jang, S.J. (1994). Delinquent Peers, Belief and Delinquent Behaviour: A Longitudinal Test of Interactional Theory. Criminology, Vol. 32, No1, pp. 47-56.

Thornberry, T.P. (1987). Toward an interactional theory of delinquency. Criminology 25 (4),pp. 863 – 891.

Xiong, S. (2002). Hmong family processes and their impact on Hmong adolescents’ delinquent behaviours: A correlational study. A research paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling, University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.