Parents of teenagers are often concerned about who their teens spend time hanging out with. What does research evidence indicate about what role parents should play in the lives of their teens in order to discourage involvement in criminal behaviour?

Question

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Research has consistently shown that parental involvement in peer selection is important in preventing involvement in delinquent activities. Parents who are aware of who their teens are hanging out with and actively encourage positive peer relationships can help their teens avoid the negative influence of delinquent peers. In contrast, teens who associate with delinquent peers are more likely to engage in criminal behavior themselves. While attending school regularly and managing time effectively are also important factors, they are not as directly linked to preventing involvement in criminal behavior as parental involvement in peer selection. The idea that allowing teens to drink at home will prevent addiction is also a common misconception and not supported by research evidence.

Parents of Teenagers Are Often Concerned About Who Their Teens