Citation

Cook AK. J. Juv. Justice 2015; 4(2): 57-70.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, In Public Domain (U.S. Department of Justice OJJDP), Publisher CSR)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Many theories attempting to explain delinquent behavior include the role of parents (for example, see Agnew, 1992; Akers, 1985; Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990; Hirschi, 1969; Patterson, 1982; Sampson & Laub, 1993). A variety of parental mismanagement practices have been studied in order to determine their influence on delinquent behavior (Stewart, Simons, Conger, & Scaramella, 2002; Patterson, 1982; Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989; Patterson & Stouthammer-Loeber, 1984). In addition to the influences of parental mismanagement practices, ecological models recognize the importance of the environment in shaping delinquent behavior (Bronfenbrenner, 1986; Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 1998; Garbarino, Bradshaw, & Kostelny, 2005). According to Bronfenbrenner (1986), the development of the child is indirectly influenced through the environment and interaction of parents. Moreover, Bronfenbrenner (1986) contends that parents' places of employment, social networks, and community are three exosystems that are especially likely to affect family functioning and development of the child. The current study explores the extent to which youth behaviors and parental stressors influence levels of parental anger toward juvenile probationers (N = 88) in one mid-Atlantic county.

RESULTS indicate that youth having a prior record, parental substance abuse, an unemployed parent, and parents' perceptions of lower levels of attachment to children are factors related to higher levels of parental anger. Policy implications of these findings for courts and probation units are discussed. Most importantly, juvenile justice officials must recognize the importance of helping parents with their own problems so that they can become more effective in their own lives and serve as agents of change for their court-involved children.

Amy Kyle Cook, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Department of Criminal Justice, Virginia Commonwealth University. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Amy Kyle Cook, 923 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284. E-mail: cookak@vcu.edu

Keywords: delinquents, juvenile probation, juvenile offenders, parents, juvenile justice

Language: en