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Sampson And Laub 's Age Graded Theory

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Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory argues that strengthening social bonds increase informal social control and reduces crime and other forms of deviance at any age, as individuals make significant transitions throughout their lifetime, the essence of their social interactions change, alongside the power of various informal influences on criminality. In addition, the theory exhibits a complementary relationship between the concepts of continuity and change. In her book, Jamie J. Fader observed fifteen young men as they transition back from Mount Ridge Academy, a juvenile institution, to their urban Philadelphia neighborhoods, resuming their day-to-day lives, consistently battling to fall back and avoid old patterns of criminal behavior. The age-graded theory can be utilized to explain the rationale on the men that strove to avoid old patterns of criminal activity and the men unable to avoid their old patterns, on the quality of one’s bonds, which are the basis of informal social control, through their life transitions. In James’ story, his “fall back” or desistance is achieved through the strengthening of bonds to positive people, and increases informal social control and cognitive conceptions of desistance. James’ commitment and loyalty to his daughter, Maya was profoundly ingrained in his longing to be a good father and to be approved by others in accomplishing that position. His dedication to stable work derived from both financial necessity and a need to encircle

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