The father/child relationship and its influence on criminal behavior

Abstract

Crime is rampant in our society and the public wants it to stop. However, it is nearly impossible to put an end to a problem if we do not know it’s beginning. There are numerous theories and accusations regarding the cause of crime. Lack of supervision, absent fathers, poverty, television and violent films have frequently been blamed by the media and the public for the high crime rate in this country. If the reason for crime can be isolated and dealt with, the crime rate should be reduced. The purpose of this research is to examine the role fathers play in determining whether or not their children will commit a crime. Factors including affection, discipline, and quality of time spent with their children are examined. Implications for counseling interventions are discussed further.