What is parental efficacy? Explain its relationship to delinquency.

Families in which parents are able to integrate their children into the household unit while at the same time helping assert their individuality and regulate their own behavior.
 Studies show that delinquency will be reduced if both or at least one parent can provide the type of structure that integrates children into families, while giving them the ability to assert their individuality and regulate their own behavior.
 This phenomenon is referred to as parental efficacy. In some cultures emotional support from the mother is critical, whereas in others the father's support remains the key factor.
 Adolescents whose parents maintain close relationships with them report less delinquent behavior and substance use regardless of the type of family structurethat is, blended families, same-sex parents, and so on.
 This finding suggests that the quality of parent-adolescent relationships better predicts adolescent outcomes than family type.
 The importance of close relations with the family may diminish as children reach late adolescence and develop stronger peer-group relations, but most experts believe family influence remains considerable throughout life.

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