LIFE-COURSE TRANSITIONS AND DESISTANCE FROM CRIME

Sampson and Laub (1993) provided a major contribution to the study of criminal careers by linking criminal behavior to life-course transitio ns, such as marriage, employment, and entry into the military. To inte rpret their findings, these investigators relied exclusively on contro l theory. In a sharp departure from that position, this study offers e vidence that life-course transitions affect criminal behavior by alter ing relations with delinquent peers. Focusing on marriage, the analysi s shows that the transition To marriage is followed by a dramatic decl ine in time spent with friends as well as reduced exposure to delinque nt peers, and that these factors largely explain the association betwe en marital status and delinquent behavior the findings suggest that ch anging patterns of peer relations over the life course are essential f or understanding criminal life-course trajectories.