Parental influences on youth delinquency

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader about the currently employed theories, research, and interventions in developmental criminology, with a particular emphasis on parental influences. Design/methodology/approach As well as evoking the classical theories and relevant research in psychology and developmental criminology fields, some of the significant recent contributions are also evaluated to reveal how parenting is linked to youngsters’ delinquency in the extant literature. Findings While parental factors do not directly affect delinquency of children and adolescents, it is an effectual mediator. Research limitations Not a systematic (statistical) review, rather a hermeneutic one with righteous justifications. Practical implications Evidence-based suggestions, regarding the allocation of time and resources for the modification of implicated parenting factors in planning preventative and interventional programs, are made. Originality/value This review is an up-to-date instructional source that presents the major developmental criminology theories including the recent ones.