The result of Hirschi’s work is widely considered to be the most influential criminological theory of modern times, and has stimulated more research than any other in the field.

His Social Bonding Theory is a control theory on the reasons people do not break the law.

Influential criminological theory

Hirschi’s first study began in 1965 with the collection of data on 4,077 adolescents in Richmond, California, to test and develop his theory of crime. Hirschi does not ask why people break the law, but rather why people don’t. His evidence shows that young people refrain from committing crimes when they have a strong connection to established society, while parents also play a key role.

The ties that bind a person to society can be divided into four types. The first tie is described as attachment to conventional persons such as parents and peers. The second tie is commitment to conventional social order, e.g., investments in education, work, and honest living. The third tie is involvement in conventional activities, e.g., school, work, and club activities. The fourth, finally, is belief in the legitimacy of the prevailing social order (positive attitudes towards laws, law enforcement, etc. and negative attitudes towards crime and abuse).

Importance of strong parental attachment

In his studies of self-reported and recorded crime and attitudes among young people, Hirschi showed that the degree of attachment to parents did not prevent crime per se, but it did mould a commitment to, involvement in, and belief in conventional values. Even with unconventional parents, Hirschi found that a strong attachment to one or both parents appeared to prevent criminal behaviour and increase respect for the police.