Social control, gender, and delinquency: An analysis of drug, property and violent offenders

Abstract

This paper is an empirical examination of social control theory as set forth by Travis Hirschi (1969). The analysis focused on the applicability of the theory for both males and females, as well as three types of delinquent behavior. When the different types of delinquency were examined, it became apparent that the theory explained some types of delinquent behavior better than others. Of the three types of delinquent behavior, more drug use was explained than either violent behavior or property offending, while almost none of the violent behavior was accounted for. However, regardless of the type of delinquency, the theory accounted for more female than male delinquency.