Causes of Delinquency

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Hirschi explores the concept of delinquency through the lens of social control theory, positing that delinquents lack the personal attachments and moral beliefs that typically keep individuals law-abiding. He critiques alternative theories, such as strain and cultural deviance, using extensive data from Western Contra Costa County, California. By outlining the strengths and weaknesses of these theories, he emphasizes the importance of social bonds in preventing delinquency. This influential work remains essential for scholars and students in sociology and criminology.