Delinquency for this group of offenders sharply decreases in early adulthood, between the ages of 20-29 (Moffitt 1993). Moffitt (1993) argues that adolescence limited offenders become delinquent in order to achieve more mature social status. Social maturity is mainly defined by adolescents’ level of independence and social responsibility. Adolescents who are allowed to assume adult roles (e.g., working outside of the home) and who are given the privileges and responsibilities associated with adulthood typically get more respect from society (Carriaga, 2013). However, because adolescents are still mainly dependent on their parents, adolescents are still considered children by most in society, leaving them somewhere between childhood and adulthood
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The reward for engaging in delinquent behavior is mature social status, while the consequences are power and privilege (Moffitt …show more content…
Weak social bonds are an explanation for offending as children who grow up in families with a lack of discipline and parental support form a weak attachment to their family and are therefore at risk of antisocial behavior. The weaker the bond to society the more likely the person is to offend. There are turning points such as marriage, employment and children which can stop offenders from offending helping to explain the age crime curve (Durrant, 2013).
Offending appears highest during adolescence; offending peaks sharply at about age 17 and drop in young adulthood. The majority of criminal offenders are teenagers; by the early 20s, the number of active offenders decreases by over 50%, and by age 28, almost 85% of former delinquents desist from offending (Moffitt,
The reward for engaging in delinquent behavior is mature social status, while the consequences are power and privilege (Moffitt …show more content…
Weak social bonds are an explanation for offending as children who grow up in families with a lack of discipline and parental support form a weak attachment to their family and are therefore at risk of antisocial behavior. The weaker the bond to society the more likely the person is to offend. There are turning points such as marriage, employment and children which can stop offenders from offending helping to explain the age crime curve (Durrant, 2013).
Offending appears highest during adolescence; offending peaks sharply at about age 17 and drop in young adulthood. The majority of criminal offenders are teenagers; by the early 20s, the number of active offenders decreases by over 50%, and by age 28, almost 85% of former delinquents desist from offending (Moffitt,