| This study examines the "moral communities" hypothesis, which suggests that an individual's religious commitment will only inhibit delinquent behavior if that individual lives in an area with a strong religious community. In contrast, if an individual lives in an area in which religion does not permeate the culture, his/her religious commitment will not have a significant impact on delinquency. Previous research on the moral communities hypothesis has examined the religiosity of individuals within the context of macro-level units, such as entire communities and within the contex of schools. This paper tests the moral communities hypothesis in a heretofore unexamined proximal context-the family. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study brings the moral communities hypothesis to a micro-level by examining whether the effect of a youth's religious commitment on delinquency depends upon the religious commitment of his/her parents. |
Updated 05/20/2006