Language development and low self-control: An examination of the role of gender

Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime is one of the most frequently tested and empirically supported. The general theory argues that self-control is the key factor underlying criminal behavior. The development of self-control in childhood is attributed primarily to the effectiveness of parenting, although recent research has shown that language development has a significant effect on a person's level of self control. This study builds upon this research by investigating how language development varies by gender and how that variation impacts self-control in adolescence. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Program, this thesis will use ordinary least squares regression analyses to examine language development and its impact of self-control within a nationally representative sample of American school-aged children.