Fathers for good? Exploring the impact of becoming a father on young offenders' desistance from crime

Abstract

Purpose

This paper's aim is to explore the available evidence on whether becoming a young father can enhance desistance.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent literature on young fathers in the justice system was reviewed, alongside the major desistance theories. The findings from the review were explored in five semi‐structured interviews with five young fathers under probation supervision.

Findings

Despite the correlation between young fatherhood and offending, very little research has been conducted into the impact of young fatherhood on desistance from crime. Overall, there are good indicators that fatherhood can be a motivational “hook” for enhancing desistance.

Originality/value

Very little is known about the experience or context of fatherhood amongst young male offenders, nor about the relation between young fatherhood and desistance from crime. This paper fills some of the gaps.

Citation

Helyar‐Cardwell, V. (2012), "Fathers for good? Exploring the impact of becoming a father on young offenders' desistance from crime", Safer Communities, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 169-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/17578041211271436