Date of Award

9-1-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Jeffery Walker

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, Sampson and Laub's age-graded theory of informal social control, or life course theory, has become the epitome of developmental criminological theories. Life course theory is based on the premise of life trajectories that are influenced by turning points. Much research has examined possible turning points in the adult life course, such as marriage, employment, military service, and childbirth. However, few studies have attempted to determine possible turning points in the juvenile life course. In an attempt to address this lack of knowledge on juvenile turning points, this thesis presents an extension of life course theory (ELCT) into the child welfare system. (This thesis is purely theoretical, as such, there is no data analysis included in this work.) It is argued here that juveniles who are first referred to the child welfare system at a younger age are more likely to have multiple future referrals for child maltreatment, which will increase their likelihood of being removed from their home and placed in non-relative foster care. Consequently, these juveniles will be more likely to be referred to juvenile court for delinquency.

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