Age Crime Research Paper

Offending decreases with age from the mid 20s (Hayes & Prenzler, 2012). Explain this finding using one psychological theory, one sociological theory and one interactionist theory. Can these theories of crime adequately explain this finding? Discuss.

Juvenile offending increases to a peak in the adolescent years and then decreases in early adulthood. Criminal behaviour in offenders decreases in age from the mid twenties which has been proved fact using evidence from psychological, sociological and interactionist theories of crime. There is adequate evidence for all three theories of crime to explain this finding. In this essay it will be argued that each of these theories of crime can adequately explain crime desistance. Discussed
Age crime curves for individual’ is dependent on ones situation in their life, for example bonds in their social society and peer influences. Hirshi and Gottfredson (1983) have argued that the age crime curve is invariant over different times, places, crime types, sexes and so on (David P. Farrington, 1986). Age crime curves have only one peak and that is in the adolescent years of life. A number of these theories have been researched to explain this finding. These findings include social bonds a person has in their life. During the adolescent years teenagers may have very weak bonds with others such as parents and family members, in which the teenager may become rebellious and act out using criminal behaviour. A teenager could also become involved in criminal behaviour when they become associated with other people whom already are involved in participating in criminal acts and delinquent behaviour. The teenager may be pressured into committing these acts of crime and delinquency, or may simply choose to do so to become part of the group. For a teenager to desist in criminal behaviour, strong bonds within their social society need to be formed, and the teenager also needs to disassociate themselves from groups whom engage in criminal activity. Crime desistance becomes more dominant in early adulthood. This is due to a number of factors. Maturation is the primary factor, individuals mature both mentally and physically as the make the transition into adulthood, and therefore begin to break the cycle of offending and desist from crime. There is also once again the factor of the social environment one has in adulthood, for example employment stability, financial stability, marriage having children of their own. These factors can explain crime desistance in early adulthood. (Laub, 1996) “[W]e found that job stability and marital attachment in adulthood were