Graduation Term

Fall 2025

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Criminal Justice Sciences

Committee Chair

Jessie Krienert

Committee Member

Brent Teasdale

Committee Member

Jeffrey Walsh

Abstract

Sykes and Matza’s Neutralization theory (1957) was originally developed to explain juvenile involvement in delinquency, with extensions of this theory being used to understand crime in other offending groups. Although neutralization theory has been widely applied to offenders, far less research has examined how neutralizations may be used by non-offending groups. This study applies Sykes and Matza’s framework to parents to explore whether neutralizations are being employed to justify risk taking or delinquent behavior among their adolescent children. This study also examines how parents differentiate risky behavior from delinquent behavior, as well as their attitude towards seven major risk factors for delinquency: smoking marijuana, speeding, fighting, being sexually active, underage consumption of alcohol, skipping school, and shoplifting. Using a mixed-methods survey design with open-ended and closed-ended questions, data from a sample of 87 respondents reveal parents are utilizing four of five techniques of neutralizations in some capacity. Findings suggest parental use of neutralizations may inadvertently normalize risky and delinquent behaviors. Even further, parental perception of risky and delinquent behavior, coupled with parental misapplication of legal definitions, may contribute to potentially harmful outcomes. These findings highlight the need for interventions that can equip parents with greater clarity about legal definitions of delinquency and help them challenge their own use of techniques of neutralizations while promoting and supporting accountability in adolescent decision-making.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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