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Intergenerational Transmission of Violent Offending

NCJ Number
247913
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2014 Pages: 109-118
Author(s)
Steve G. A. van de Weijer; Catrien C. J. H. Bijleveld; Arjan A. J. Blokland
Date Published
February 2014
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The current study examines the intergenerational transmission and concentration of violent offending using conviction data of 3,440 persons from three consecutive generations from the Dutch Transfive study.
Abstract
The current study examines the intergenerational transmission and concentration of violent offending using conviction data of 3,440 persons from three consecutive generations from the Dutch Transfive study. Violent offending is more concentrated within nuclear families than non-violent offending, and the intergenerational transmission of violent offending is stronger than the intergenerational transmission of non-violent offending. Due to the low prevalence of violent offending by women, only transmission from father to son is studied. Paternal violent offending before the birth of the son does not increase the son's risk to become violent, while paternal violent offending during the son's childhood and adolescence does. These results suggest that exposure to paternal violence plays an important role in the intergenerational transmission of violent offending. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.