Legal sanctions and youths' status achievement: A longitudinal study

Abstract

This study examines the impact of legal sanctions on delinquency and youths' status achievement. Theories relating to formal social control and status achievement, including deterrence, labeling, and the age-graded life course perspective, are evaluated. A structural equation model is used to test the impact of legal sanctions on delinquency and status achievement. This study finds that legal sanctions decrease the likelihood of high status achievement by increasing youths' involvement in delinquent behavior. It demonstrates the need for integrating labeling theories and the life course perspective into research on status attainment.