explored the degree to which heterosexual involvement during the adolescent period
itself may exert an influence on life course patterns of criminal behavior. Typically
researchers have theorized that these risk-taking behaviors are part of a general
constellation or "syndrome" of problem outcomes (e.g., Jessor and Jessor, 1977,
Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990). Criminologists have more often focused on heterosexual
relationships later in the life course, arguing that marriage bonds act as a significant
deterrent to crime (Laub and Sampson 2003; Laub, Nagin, and Sampson, 1998; Horney
& Osgood, 1995); yet studies of the adolescent period typically focus on parents and
peers as the most important social network influences (e.g., Browning, Levanthal, and
Brooks-Gunn, 2005; Warr, 2002).
In this study, we explore the influence of individual variation in heterosexual
interest and involvement on later (a)self-reported delinquent behavior, (b)the delinquency
of friends and romantic partners, and (c) the development of a hedonistic (i.e., ‘partier’)
social identity. Our analyses investigate whether the influence of heterosexual interest
and involvement appears uniquely gendered, based on prior work that has emphasized the
role of boyfriends (Haynie, 2005, 2003; Magnusson 1992) and other cross-sex contacts
(Caspi et al, 1993, Steffensmeier and Allen, 1996) for understanding female adolescent
delinquency.
CURRENT INVESTIGATION
The primary objective of our study is to provide a global assessment of whether
heterosexual interest and involvement influence later delinquent behavior, once
traditional predictors for crime and delinquency have been taken into account.
3
Convention