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Employment, Crime, And Race

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  • DAVID H. GOOD
  • MAUREEN A. PIROG‐GOOD

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the employability and the criminality of white and black male teenagers. We find that among black teenagers, the employed engage in fewer criminal activities than do the unemployed. Thus, blacks apparently view employment and crime as alternative income‐generating activities. On the other hand, employment status seems not to affect the criminal behavior of white male teenagers. Our evidence indicates that in the group studied, whites tend to use employment as a cover for crime or to moonlight in crime. Different legitimate opportunity structures for whites and blacks can explain, in part, the behavioral differences of whites and blacks. One more important policy implication is that job opportunities targeted to high‐risk black teenage populations have the additional beneficial effect of reducing crime rates.

Suggested Citation

  • David H. Good & Maureen A. Pirog‐Good, 1987. "Employment, Crime, And Race," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 5(4), pages 91-104, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:5:y:1987:i:4:p:91-104
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.1987.tb00274.x
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    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7287.1987.tb00274.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary S. Becker, 1974. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach," NBER Chapters, in: Essays in the Economics of Crime and Punishment, pages 1-54, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Michael Massourakis & Farahmand Rezvani & Tadashi Yamada, 1984. "Occupation, Race, Unemployment and Crime In a Dynamic System," NBER Working Papers 1256, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Llad Phillips & Harold L. Votey, 1987. "Crimes By Youth: Deterrence And Moral Compliance With The Law," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 5(4), pages 73-90, October.
    4. Larry D. Singell, 1967. "An Examination of the Empirical Relationship Between Unemployment and Juvenile Delinquency," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 377-386, October.
    5. Ann Dryden Witte, 1980. "Estimating the Economic Model of Crime With Individual Data," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 94(1), pages 57-84.
    6. Weicher, John C, 1970. "The Effect of Income on Delinquency: Comment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 60(1), pages 249-256, March.
    7. Ehrlich, Isaac, 1973. "Participation in Illegitimate Activities: A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 81(3), pages 521-565, May-June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Entorf Horst, 2009. "Crime and the Labour Market: Evidence from a Survey of Inmates," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 229(2-3), pages 254-269, April.
    2. Siwach, Garima, 2018. "Unemployment shocks for individuals on the margin: Exploring recidivism effects," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 231-244.
    3. Ambrose Leung, 2004. "Delinquency, schooling, and work: time allocation decision of youth," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(9), pages 987-993.

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