The question of the origins and causes of delinquent behavior is crucial in criminology as it allows finding solutions for its prevention. Life-course theories are one of the complex approaches to studying the nature of such behavior since they consider the lives of people at different stages of development and various factors influencing it. Consequently, the study of this issue requires a versatile approach, which is implemented through the merging and integration of multiple theories of criminology.
Integrated criminology theories bring significant benefits to the development of life-course theories since they help to approach the issue of criminal behavior development from different angles. Scholars turn to various sciences, such as sociology and neuroscience, to understand the causes of the appearance of traits and characteristics of deviant behavior in adolescents and their development into stable criminal behavior (Krohn & Ward, 2016). For this reason, cross-disciplinary integration of theories is a necessity for a broader understanding of the issue (Krohn & Ward, 2016). At the same time, the combination of different approaches at the same level and with a related base but different conceptual ideas, contribute to the confirmation of various aspects of these theories. For example, Elliott and colleagues’ integrated strain-control paradigm combines the ideas of social learning theory and social control theory and explains two pathways to delinquency (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2018). Separately, these theories represent only part of reality in a specific context, but their integration opens up a new perspective on life-course theories.
This approach is also appropriate for criminology in general because this area is associated with the complexity of human behavior, social interaction, and physiology. Studying these issues and understanding their connections require a multifaceted approach to its reviewing. Consequently, the merging of theories is a practical step for understanding the sources and development of human delinquent behavior and the factors influencing its formation due to the combination of the important ideas in them.
Sociological and criminological theories demonstrate that, in many cases, early childhood development can provoke criminal behavior in adolescents and adults, and therefore it can be prevented. Moreover, various life-course theories, as well as the story of the twins in the video Before It Too Late, demonstrate that early intervention is a necessity to reduce crime. However, the main reasons for the neglect of early intervention programs by the state are the lack of sufficient empirical data on their effectiveness, long-term perspective, and lack of funding.
One of the most common reasons for denial of assistance and the use of early childhood intervention is the lack of funding for programs. For example, the twins in the video did not receive help from specialists for years, which led them to acute and threatening behavioral problems (Films Media Group, 1998). The boys were treated late, but their behavioral issues might not have reached such threatening levels with early intervention.
However, lack of funds is not the main reason for government refusal, since such programs are most often cost-effective. Tilley and Sidebottom (2017) show that various programs have had returns several times higher than the costs, and although the overall government savings so far do not exceed the costs of such programs, they are successful. The problem is that the results of programs for children appear after several decades, but their expenses must be covered today. This aspect also hinders the lack of a sufficient evidence base for programs’ effectiveness, which also calls into question the profitability of their funding (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2018). At the same time, imprisonment is a proven remedy that has a stable and predictable outcome. Consequently, the lack of investment in early childhood intervention programs hinders evidence of their effectiveness, which, in turn, reduces their funding and implementation.
References
Films Media Group. (1998). Before it’s too late: Children and severe anger. Films On Demand. Web.
Krohn, M., & Ward, J.T. (2016). Integrating criminological theories. In A. R. Piquero (Ed.), The handbook of criminological theory (pp.318-335). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Lilly, J.R., Cullen, F.T., & Ball, R. A. (2018). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Tilley, N., & Sidebottom, A. (Eds.) (2017). Handbook of crime prevention and community safety (2nd ed). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.