The Meaning of Work: Conceptualizing the Deterrent Effect of Employment on Crime among Young Adults

• NCJ Number: 311122
• Journal: Sociological Perspectives Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: 2006 Pages: 343-368
• Author(s): Tim Wadsworth
• Date Published: 2006
• Grant Number(s): 2000-IJ-CX-0022
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Country: United States of America

Abstract

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) are used to examine the influence of employment characteristics and other age-appropriate investments on young adults' participation in both violent and property crime. The findings suggest that quality of employment has a stronger influence on individuals' involvement in both economic and noneconomic criminal behavior than do income, job stability, educational achievement, and a variety of background factors. The implications of these findings for theoretical development and public policy are discussed.

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