Delinquent and non-delinquent males' perception of their fathers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in delinquents' and non-delinquents' perceptions of their fathers, and the relation between their perceptions and selected background and familial variables. Utilizing a sample of 330 Ss, delinquency was found to be associated with: (a) lack of a warm, loving, supportive relationship with the father; (b) minimal paternal involvement with children; (c) high maternal involvement in the lives of youth; (d) broken homes; and (e) feelings of anomie.