CRIME AND SOCIAL CONTROL AMONG HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

ABSTRACT

While social control theory has become one of the dominant theories of delinquency, this status is primarily based upon research carried out with adolescents in school. This study extends the empirical support for control theory to the post-school criminal behaviour of school dropouts. Dropouts are not subject to school-based social controls, and may experience fewer work-based controls given their minimum labour market qualifications. Using qualitative data from interviews, this study examines the processes of social control in a sample of older adolescent and young adult school dropouts, with a focus upon potential gender differences. In contrast with the highly criminal dropouts, male and female non-criminal dropouts reported the absence of very few social controls. The social control process was similar, though not identical, for male and female dropouts. However, weak social controls alone do not appear sufficient to account for their criminal behaviour. Free time, boredom, and interaction with deviant peers provide additional opportunities and inducements for criminal behaviour.