Publication

Parenthood, gender, and turning points to crime for young people in Latin America

This article by Martín Hernán Di Marco investigates how parenthood serves as a critical turning point in the lives of young people in Latin America, influencing their criminal trajectories.

Author: Martín Hernán Di Marco, Sveinung Sandberg and Gustavo Fondevila
Date: 11 January 2025
Links: Read the full article here

The research investigates the dual role of parenthood in shaping criminal behaviour among 40 young women and 40 young men in prisons throughout Latin America. It identifies both positive changes, such as a perceived need for stability leading to reduced criminal involvement, and negative changes, including increased frustration and economic pressures that may exacerbate criminal activity. The study reveals significant gender differences; for men, parenthood can lead to feelings of frustration due to increased domestic responsibilities, while for women, it may entrench them in abusive relationships or result in social isolation as single mothers.

The findings emphasise that in contexts marked by structural poverty and limited legal economic opportunities, parenthood often reinforces criminal careers rather than disrupts them, challenging the assumption that it universally promotes positive change.