TY - JOUR PY - 1992// TI - Mean Streets: The Theoretical Significance of Situational Delinquency Among Homeless Youths JO - American journal of sociology A1 - McCarthy, B. A1 - Hagan, John SP - 597 EP - 627 VL - 98 IS - 3 N2 - Contemporary sociological theories of delinquency emphasize bakcground and developmental factors while neglecting adverse situational conditions. This study uses data from youths on the street and in school to test an integration of strain and control theories that spans background and situational factors. After background and situational factors. After background and street exposure variables are controlled for and after school and street samples are combined, there is consistent evidence of the effects of adverse situational conditions: hunger causes theft, and problems of unemployment and shelter produce prostitution. These findings broaden and increase theoretical understanding of street life and crime.
LA - SN - 0002-9602 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/230050 ID - ref1 ER -