Crime and the Life Course: An Introduction

by Michael L. Benson

In recent years the life-course perspective has become a popular theoretical orientation toward crime. Yet despite its growing importance in the field of criminology, most textbooks give it only cursory treatment. Crime and the Life An Introduction by Michael L. Benson provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary research and theory on the life-course approach to crime. The book emphasizes a conceptual understanding of this approach. A special feature is the integration of qualitative and quantitative research on criminal life histories. The Provides an overview of the life course approach and describes the major concepts and issues in life-course theory as it applies to criminology. Reviews evidence on biological and genetic influences on crime. Reviews research on the role of the family in crime and juvenile delinquency. Provides a detailed discussion of the criminological life-course theories of Moffitt, Hagan, Sampson and Laub, and others. Discusses the connections between youthful crime and adult outcomes in education, occupation, and marriage. Presents an application of the life-course approach to white-collar crime. Discusses how macro sociological and historical developments have influenced the shape of the life course in American society as it relates to patterns in crime.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001