Do Life Course Transitions and Social Bonds Influence Male and Female Offending Differently? Gender Contrasts and Criminality

A longstanding issue facing criminologists is the challenge of developing theoretical models that provide comprehensive explanations of the onset and persistence of criminality among males and females. One promising perspective that has developed in recent years has been life course theory. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this research explores the question of whether the elements of social development shape the trajectory of persistent offending in a gender-neutral fashion, or are the dynamics shaping life course criminality unique for males and females. The results provide a number of useful insights into the relationship between gender, life course transition factors, and longitudinal patterns of criminality.