Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Research and development in criminal law and criminology

The Impact of Parenting Styles on Juvenile Delinquency: An Examination of Psychological, Social, and Economic Factors

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Ph.D. in Criminal Law and Criminology Head of Law Department, Applied Science University of Glass, Lorestan
Abstract
Objective: This study provides a thorough investigation into how four key parenting styles authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful are connected to the likelihood of delinquent behavior in children and adolescents. The study examines the intricate effects of psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors on the origin, solidification, and continuation of deviant behaviors. The aim is to create a framework grounded in empirical evidence that enhances both the theoretical and practical comprehension of adolescent delinquency and promotes the development of preventive strategies based on evidence.

Methods: The research utilizes an analytical comparative approach underpinned by a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of both domestic and global academic research. The analysis draws on the results of extensive empirical studies, large-scale field research, and recent meta-analyses of parenting practices and developmental outcomes. The assessment encompasses various dimensions, such as parental monitoring systems, the emotional connections between parents and children, the range of disciplinary methods employed within families, family communication patterns, and the direct and indirect influences of socioeconomic status, social class, and cultural background on the development and escalation of delinquent and aggressive behaviors among adolescents.

Findings: Results clearly show that authoritative parenting characterized by warmth, balanced control, rational discipline, and mutual respect is strongly linked to reduced levels of adolescent delinquency. In contrast, authoritarian parenting, which involves strict control and severe punishment, permissive parenting without clear boundaries, and particularly neglectful parenting marked by disengagement and inadequate care, are all associated with increased delinquency, aggression, and antisocial behaviors that have strong positive correlations. Further evidence suggests that active and emotionally sensitive parental monitoring, effective communication, constructive discipline, and the avoidance of physical or verbal aggression significantly reduce the risk of behavioural deviance and social maladjustment. Furthermore, factors such as chronic poverty, prolonged unemployment, low educational attainment, poor living conditions, economic pressure, overcrowding, cultural deprivation, and limited access to resources contribute substantially to the increased likelihood of delinquent behavior.

Conclusion: Preventing adolescent delinquency in a sustainable manner demands a comprehensive approach that focuses on parenting education, empowering families, and enhancing parenting skills.
Keywords

Subjects


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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 27 January 2026