ABSTRACT
In Causes of Delinquency, Hirschi emphasizes the role of the family. In his work with Gottfredson, this emphasis continues. In A General Theory of Crime , Gottfredson and Hirschi ascribe to parental child-rearing practices a primary role in the development of self-control. As a consequence, Hirschi has more than once been invited to summarize his position on this question. The article reprinted here was published in 1991. Earlier and later versions may be found in Crime and Public Policy (ed. James Q. Wilson, San Francisco: ICS Press, 1983) and in Crime (ed. James Q. Wilson and Joan Petersilia, San Francisco: ICS Press, 1995). In the latest version of the Wilson and Petersilia collection, the family chapter is written by David Farrington. Comparison of the views of Farrington and Hirschi is instructive. Whereas Farrington focuses on an array of family factors noting several possible theoretical interpretations, Hirschi starts with a control theory to explain the known “facts” about families and crime. Hirschi also discusses the family processes that produce self-control and social control. Perhaps the most telling difference lies in their conclusions. For example, Farrington concludes his review by stating “In order to advance knowledge about the causal effects of family factors on offending, new longitudinal studies are needed” (2002: 148).— JHL/TH
