Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to

  • Describe the nature and extent of family trends, including marriage, divorce, and unmarried birth rates
  • Explain the complicated relationship between family structure and delinquency
  • Explain the impact of family process on the relationship between family structure and delinquency
  • Explain the impact of family process on delinquency
  • Explain the nature and extent of child maltreatment
  • Analyze the complicated relationship between child maltreatment and delinquency
  • Explain the relationship between child maltreatment, parental incarceration, and the experiences in foster care for youth