April 2015 – The family structure a person is raised in has a great influence on adolescent and adult behaviors, as shown by Marriage and Religion Research Institute’s extensive report “Mapping America – Number 137.” Research consistently shows that children growing up in intact families with married biological parents have lower instances of criminal behavior than those from homes with cohabiting parents, married stepparents, divorced, or always single parents.
Looking at specific findings, only 5% with intact married parents have ever been arrested, compared to 13% who lived with one cohabiting biological parent or with an always single parent. Only 12% from intact married families have ever assaulted someone, compared to 34% who lived with one cohabiting biological parent, 29% with a single parent, or 22% with a divorced parent. Adolescents are also less likely to use hard drugs or commit theft if they live with both biological parents than if they live with only one married or cohabiting biological parent or a divorced parent.
