A review of research on the impact on crime of transitions to adult roles

Abstract

For centuries, criminologists have observed thatmost criminal offenses showa sharp rise in prevalence during adolescence, followed by a relatively rapid decline in the early twenties (Hirschi & Gottfredson, 1983; Quetelet, 1984 [1833]). The dramatic decrease in criminal behavior during young adulthood, and increasing scholarly interest in desistance more generally, have led researchers to work to uncover the processes behind age-linked change in offending. Because the drop in offending occurs during the same period of the life course in which many individuals adopt adult roles, role transitions have received growing attention as potential explanations for desistance. © 2008 Springer-Verlag New York.