That the impact of age on criminal involvement is one of the strongest factors associated with crime has prompted the controversial claim that the age-crime relationship is universal and invariant (Hirschi and Gottfredson). However, considerable variation exists among offenses and across historical periods in specific features of the age-crime relationship (for example, peak age, median age, rate of decline from peak age). A claim of "invariance" in the age-crime relationship therefore overstates the case (Steffensmeier et al., 1989).
DARRELL STEFFENSMEIER
JEFFERY ULMER
See also CRIMINAL CAREERS; EXCUSE: INFANCY; FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND CRIME; JUVENILE AND YOUTH GANGS; JUVENILE VIOLENT OFFENDERS; POLICE: HANDLING OF JUVENILES; PREVENTION: JUVENILES AS POTENTIAL OFFENDERS.
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