The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Having a son improves the lives of young dads with a criminal history. New research suggests cultural explanations

  • Written by Alexander Plum, Senior Research Fellow in Applied Labour Economics, Auckland University of Technology
Having a son improves the lives of young dads with a criminal history. New research suggests cultural explanations

The birth of a child is a positive milestone in most parents’ lives. And with the new responsibilities come behavioural changes, particularly for first-time parents. Such a turning point[1] can have long-term or even permanent effects.

For people who have committed crimes before having children, in particular, impending parenthood correlates with drastic behavioural shifts. For both mothers and fathers[2], the arrival of a child increases employment prospects and decreases criminal behaviour.

However, there is ample empirical evidence that the child’s gender plays a particular role for some fathers.

A new examination of New Zealand data shows the amount of change in young fathers can depend on their cultural and criminal background. Having sons appears to have the most profound impact on young New Zealand European men, persuading them to turn their lives away from crime.

The demand for sons

Previous research has documented that for some fathers the child’s gender plays a crucial role[3] in how much he changes his behaviour.

Studies have also shown that fathers are more likely to stay in the household[4] if the child is a boy, while girls are disproportionately more likely to be raised by single mothers. On average, fathers of sons are more likely to have jobs[5].

A child’s gender also appears to make a difference in turning lives around for socially vulnerable fathers. Using Danish data, a recent study[6] showed that young fathers are more likely to stop participating in criminal behaviour when they have a son rather than a daughter.

Man holding baby in in arms
Research suggests the gender of a child correlates to changes in a father’s behaviour. Annie Otzen/Getty Images[7]

Spotlight on NZ dads

Our new research examines the effect a child’s gender has on young fathers in New Zealand.

Our study[8] used Statistics New Zealand’s large research database, the Integrated Data Infrastructure[9]. Individual records from various public agencies are linked across different data sets to provide a broad picture of the various activities of Aotearoa’s population.

Read more: Many parenting apps are reinforcing the gender divide[10]

We looked at differences in paternal behaviour by comparing data relating to young fathers with a son to those who had a daughter. The research focused on understanding the long-term differences in future criminal activities, employment, education and relationship status.

We ensured that all of the fathers included in this research had similar life trajectories before they became a parent, to ensure any changes in their behaviour could be connected to the effects prompted by their child’s gender.

The footprint in the data

Young fathers are a particularly vulnerable population[11]. On average, compared to older fathers, they are less frequently employed, less likely to be in a stable relationship and are more often involved in criminal activities.

Using Department of Internal Affairs birth records, we tracked the data footprint of young fathers aged between 17 to 21 who had their first child born between January 2005 and December 2010.

Read more: Stopping violence against women starts with learning what misogyny really is[12]

Court data from the Ministry of Justice enabled us to illustrate how the criminal behaviour of young first-time fathers changed before and up to ten years after childbirth.

Inland Revenue’s tax records were used to track the fathers’ employment trajectory. Additionally, we looked into the 2013 Census to explore the effect of a child’s gender on education and family formation.

Man behind jail bars wearing hand cuffs
Young New Zealand European dads with criminal history are more likely to give up crime if they have a son then if they have a daughter. Getty Images[13]

The long-term impact

We found that some young fathers changed their behaviour more drastically when they had a son rather than a daughter – but this was only observed among young New Zealand European fathers who had convictions before childbirth.

We did not find any relevant evidence that indicated Māori fathers responded to the gender of their child. These results suggest that the preference for sons is perhaps more prevalent among Europeans or Western societies. After all, pre-colonial Māori society is widely believed to have been fundamentally inclusive of sexual diversity[14].

For young New Zealand European fathers with a pre-birth conviction who had a son, the effect was both large and persistent. Over the ten years after a child’s birth, fathers in this group with a son had 17.2% fewer convictions on average than those with a daughter.

Read more: Mothers behind bars nurture relationships with visitors in this unusual prison garden[15]

When only looking at serious sentences such as imprisonment or home detention, the difference was 11.4% for the decade after the child’s birth. The relationship between having a son and a reduction in criminal behaviour was particularly noticeable for fathers with offences related to burglary, dangerous acts, drugs or fraudulent activities.

Less crime and more work

Importantly, this behavioural difference prompted by the child’s gender spilled over into the fathers’ labour market behaviour.

We found a stronger commitment to work and higher accumulated earnings from wages and salaries for fathers with a son. Over the ten years after a child’s birth, the aggregated income was 21.5% higher on average – and the number of months receiving benefits were 21.6% lower on average.

Further differences were observable across other aspects of their lives. When linking our sample with the 2013 Census, the data showed that having no qualification was more common among young fathers with a daughter. Having a son also increased the likelihood of being in a partnered relationship.

Understanding the gender bias

Why do some fathers prefer sons? There is a long list of potential reasons, but scholars have not found unanimous consensus yet. Our study suggests the importance of cultural background and societal structure as other contributing factors.

Future research needs to look into how these sons actually profit from the behavioural change of their fathers – and by how much the daughters are left behind.

References

  1. ^ turning point (read.dukeupress.edu)
  2. ^ mothers and fathers (maximmassenkoff.com)
  3. ^ child’s gender plays a crucial role (www.nber.org)
  4. ^ likely to stay in the household (read.dukeupress.edu)
  5. ^ more likely to have jobs (economics.yale.edu)
  6. ^ recent study (phys.org)
  7. ^ Annie Otzen/Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com.au)
  8. ^ Our study (www.sciencedirect.com)
  9. ^ Integrated Data Infrastructure (www.stats.govt.nz)
  10. ^ Many parenting apps are reinforcing the gender divide (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ particularly vulnerable population (www.aut.ac.nz)
  12. ^ Stopping violence against women starts with learning what misogyny really is (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com.au)
  14. ^ fundamentally inclusive of sexual diversity (teara.govt.nz)
  15. ^ Mothers behind bars nurture relationships with visitors in this unusual prison garden (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/having-a-son-improves-the-lives-of-young-dads-with-a-criminal-history-new-research-suggests-cultural-explanations-187252

The Times Features

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping