An Importance of Boys Being Raised in Intact Marriages

Boys raised in single-parent homes are about twice as likely (and boys raised in step-families three times as likely) to have been incarcerated by the time they reach their early thirties. Teens raised outside of intact marriages are more apt to develop beliefs such as “most things that people call ‘delinquency’ don’t really hurt anyone” and “It is all right to get around the law if you can get away with it.” Combined with lower levels of parental supervision, these attitudes set the stage for delinquent behavior.

Maggie Gallagher, “Why Supporting Marriage Makes Business Sense.”  Corporate Research Council paper.