Examination of Racial (In)variance in the Effect of Father Involvement on Delinquency among Urban Adolescents in the US

Abstract

Many prior studies have focused on how different types of paternal involvement contribute to adolescent delinquency. Yet, a relatively limited number of studies research the potential variations of paternal involvement’s influence on adolescent delinquency across different ethnic-racial groups. The present study explored whether various types of paternal involvement functioned similarly for white and racial minority adolescents, and whether paternal involvement had any racialized effect on adolescent delinquency. Using data from Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and Poisson regression models, the present study found limited evidence that various types of paternal involvement function differently for the same group. In addition, only certain kinds of paternal involvement showed differential impacts across racial groups. Limitations and implications for future research are also discussed.