Data from a U.S. national survey of 303 parents ages 35 to 54 who had had at least one child were analyzed. The potential relationships of parental characteristics to several measures of children's misconduct were evaluated with regard to predictions made by the Social Learning, Control, and Strain theories of delinquency. The results provided at least partial support for all three theories. The two characteristics most consistently found to promote delinquency were a Strain variable—extreme economic distress to the point of being unable to provide necessary food, medical care, and shelter—and a Control variable—parental mental illness. Implications for theory, future research, and social policy (such as welfare reform) are discussed.
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