A Life-Course Approach to the Study of Victimization and Offending Behaviors

Abstract

Research generated from the life-course perspective has consistently documented a curvilinear relationship between age and offending, yet very little research has employed a life-course approach to investigate the relationship between age and victimization over time. We address this gap in the literature by using data from three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Specifically, based on Sampson and Laub's (1993) contention that the presence of adult social bonds decreases the likelihood of criminal activity in adulthood, we examine whether two adult social bonds—marriage and employment—are associated with desistance from delinquent involvement and whether these same bonds are associated with a reduction in the odds of victimization. The theoretical and policy implications of this research are discussed.