ABSTRACT
Age is by far the most powerful predictor of the cessation of those forms of deviant behavior that involve substantial risk and/or physically demanding behavior. Turning to the issue of gender difference in deviant behavior, one finds that no sociological theory of deviance explains why deviant behavior is primarily a male phenomenon. Labelling theory has been the most popular perspective in the area of deviance. Differential association is essentially a theory of socialization. It suggests that if persons are brought up in an environment where the dominant message is that deviant behavior is acceptable and appropriate, they will accept this view and commit deviant acts. The strong patterning of the relationship between youthful age and low points in psychological well-being, life disenchantment, anxiety, and depression provide some empirical support for applying the Durkheimian concept of anomie to the transition adolescents and young adults are undergoing.
