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Degree

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Sociology, 2009.

Abstract

While most desistance research has focused on the process during adulthood, it has been largely neglected among adolescents. The literature on desistance among adults identifies peers and romantic partners as potentially important components of desistance. Adolescent research has demonstrated that peers and romantic partners hold the most significance for individuals during adolescence; however their impact on delinquency termination during adolescence has not been examined. Taking advantage of the rich data provided by the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health), the current study has four main objectives. First, I seek to examine the effect that adolescent dating has on the amount of time the respondent spends with delinquent friends. Second, I investigate whether dating can lead to desistance, and if so whether desistance occurs because dating actually reduces time spent with delinquent peers. Finally, because much of the desistance research has focused exclusively on male-only samples I will investigate possible gender differences. Findings indicate that adolescents who are dating spend more time with their friends and are more involved in delinquent activities than their non-dating counterparts regardless of gender; however, the type of relationship holds importance. Additionally, the more time adolescents spend with their friends increases the likelihood of becoming involved in delinquent activities regardless of whether those peers are engaging in delinquency or not. Finally, dating actually reduces the likelihood of desistance.

Subject Headings

Criminology; Sociology

Keywords

desistance; adolescence; delinquency; peers; romantic partners

Committee / Advisors

Jorge Chavez (Committee Chair)
Stephen Cernkovich (Committee Member)
Peggy Giordano (Committee Member)

Pages

70p.

Document number: bgsu1257199806
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1257199806

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