General Theory of Crime

Parenting as a Means to Instill Self-Control in Children

For Gottfredson and Hirschi, self-control is learned primarily through typical processes associated with parenting. Thus it is the institution of the family that carries the most responsibility for ensuring that children learn the meaning of delayed gratification. In this sense, children learn that they cannot always have everything they want, when they want it. Rather, they must learn that good behavior will eventually lead to a positive outcome. Conversely, bad behavior will only lead to negative consequences such as punishment. These theorists argue further that working toward establishing self-control in offspring must begin early. In fact, if self-control is not in place by the time a child is about 8 years old, it is doubtful that the child will be able to refrain from engaging in risk-taking behaviors.

Behaviors Analogous to Crime and Delinquency

One of the underlying assumptions of the general theory of crime is that most people will engage in unacceptable behaviors if they have not developed a healthy sense of self-control. For example, when very young children act out in an aggressive manner toward other children or toward an adult, they have not learned how to control themselves when they become disgruntled with an individual. Adolescents who use tobacco or who engage in underage drinking do so because they have no self-control. Adults who cheat on their income taxes have no self-control. All of these behaviors are signs pointing toward more serious problems in the future. Other behaviors that may be deemed deviant but not yet codified into law and thus recognized as a crime, for example, sexual permissiveness, are all signs of low self-control. Gottfredson and Hirschi suggested that individuals who engage in these types of activities that are analogous to crime and/or delinquency are one step away from crossing the line into more serious criminal behavior.

A Critique of the General Theory of Crime

One of the measures of a theory is the empirical support it is able to garner in the research arena. To date, the general theory of crime has demonstrated support for its basic underlying assumption. Studies have shown, for example, that there is a relationship between cutting classes, consuming alcohol, and low self-control among college students. Other studies have shown that low self-control is related to marital problems, educational attainment, and the achievement of, or inability to achieve, career goals.

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