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How Work Affects Crime—And Crime Affects Work—Over The Life Course

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Handbook of Life-Course Criminology

Abstract

The meaning and social significance of both work and crime change dramatically over the life course. This chapter considers the connection between employment and criminal behavior at different life-course stages. We briefly discuss theories suggesting a general link between work and crime, and then take up the question of how work affects crime in adolescence, emerging adulthood, and older ages. We next report on classic and contemporary research showing how crime and punishment affect employment and earnings. The chapter concludes by taking stock of what has been learned and suggesting lines of further inquiry into when and how work matters for crime and delinquency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, 909 Social Sciences, 267 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Sarah Lageson & Christopher Uggen

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  1. Sarah Lageson
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  2. Christopher Uggen
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Correspondence to Christopher Uggen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Criminology, University of Florida, Turlington Hall 3219, Gainsville, 32611-7330, Florida, USA

    Chris L. Gibson

  2. Dept. Sociology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Marvin D. Krohn

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Lageson, S., Uggen, C. (2013). How Work Affects Crime—And Crime Affects Work—Over The Life Course. In: Gibson, C., Krohn, M. (eds) Handbook of Life-Course Criminology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5113-6_12

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