Citation

Hoffmann JP, Xu J. Crime Delinq. 2002; 48(4): 568-591.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/001112802237130

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A common observation is that lack of involvement in communities is linked to a host ofsocial problems, including delinquency. In response to this observation, youth areincreasingly encouraged to volunteer for community service projects. Involvement inschool activities is also seen as a way to attenuate delinquency. Yet little research hasexamined the simultaneous and unique impact of school involvement and communityactivities on delinquency. Using linked individual-level and school-level data, theauthors investigate the impact of school and community activities on delinquency. Theresults indicate that community activities are related negatively to delinquency, especiallyin schools that are perceived as unsafe. However, race/ethnicity and percentage ofminority students in the school condition the impact of school activities on delinquentbehavior. In high-minority schools, African American students who participate in schoolactivities are involved in more delinquent behavior, yet those in low-minority schools areless involved in delinquent behavior.