Power-Control TheoryControl theory explains criminal behavior by focusing on the absence or weakness of social bonds that normally prevent individuals from deviating., developed by John Hagan and colleagues in the 1980s, is a sociological theory that explains gender differences in delinquency by linking family power structures to patterns of socialization and control. The theory integrates insights from control theories, Marxist perspectives, and feminist criminology. It argues that the distribution of power within families shapes how boys and girls are socialized into different levels of freedom, risk-taking, and self-control—ultimately reproducing broader social inequalities in crime rates.
Key Points
Power-Control Theory
Main Proponent: John Hagan
First Developed: 1980s
Country of Origin: Canada / United States
Core Idea: GenderSocial and cultural roles, behaviors, and expectations linked to masculinity and femininity. differences in delinquency arise from differential socialization in families with unequal power structures. Boys receive more freedom and encouragement to take risks, while girls are more tightly controlled and socialized into conformity.
Foundation For: Feminist CriminologyA criminological perspective that examines how gender and patriarchy shape crime, justice, and social control., Control Theories, Research on Family and Gender SocializationSocialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, roles, and practices of their society.
Theory
John Hagan’s PowerThe capacity to influence others and shape outcomes, even against resistance.-Control Theory (developed in the 1980s) seeks to explain why adolescent boys generally exhibit higher rates of delinquency than girls, by linking gender socialization to family power structures. It integrates elements of control theory, Marxist theory, and feminist criminology to show how family dynamics reproduce social power relations and shape children’s opportunities and self-control.
Building on the basic insight of control theories—that conformity must be explained rather than deviance—Power-Control Theory argues that social control is first exercised within the family. Socialization patterns determine children’s degree of self-control, which affects their propensity for risk-taking and deviant behavior later in life. The core idea is that family power relations shape these socialization patterns in gendered ways.
Hagan distinguishes among three ideal-typical family forms:
- Patriarchal families: Characterized by unequal power relations, often with the father as sole or primary breadwinner. Girls in these families are subjected to stricter supervision and socialized into subordinate, compliant roles, limiting their opportunities for risk-taking and deviance. Boys are granted more freedom and autonomy, encouraging greater involvement in delinquency.
- Egalitarian families: Both parents share economic and familial power more equally. Here, gender differences in child-rearing diminish. Girls experience greater freedom and autonomy, increasing their risk-taking, while boys are subject to more balanced control that may reduce delinquency.
- Matriarchal families: Less frequently discussed, these families may exhibit reversed or alternative patterns of power and control, though the theory primarily contrasts patriarchal and egalitarian types.
Hagan’s empirical work shows that the shift toward more egalitarian family structures has a particular effect on the relationships between mothers and sons. As women gain greater power and influence, they also influence the socialization of boys, reinforcing less risk-taking behavior. Thus, the theory not only explains gender differences in delinquency but also highlights how broader social changes in gender roles and economic power relations shape family dynamics and crime rates.
Illustration: Everyday Socialization
One accessible example of the power-control dynamic is the marketing of children’s toys. Advertisements for boys often emphasize adventure, competition, and risk (e.g., action figures, construction sets), encouraging independence and boldness. Ads for girls, in contrast, frequently promote nurturing roles and domestic scenarios (e.g., dolls, kitchen sets), reinforcing themes of care, compliance, and relational focus. These patterns mirror the differential social control Hagan describes: boys are socialized to seek risk and autonomy, while girls are guided toward conformity and relational responsibility.
Critical Appraisal & Relevance
Hagan’s Power-Control Theory was groundbreaking in drawing attention to gender differences in socialization and family power structures as key explanations for the gender gap in delinquency. By integrating feminist and control perspectives, it emphasizes how unequal power relations are reproduced through family practices, linking individual behavior to broader social structures.
Empirical research has provided partial support for the theory, confirming connections between family structure, parental employment patterns, and delinquency. Importantly, Power-Control Theory highlights that social control is not uniform but shaped by gendered expectations and power relations, showing how social inequality is reproduced in the family.
However, the theory has also faced criticism. Its categorization of family types is often seen as too static and simplistic, neglecting variations within families and failing to account for class, cultural differences, or non-traditional family forms such as single-parent households. Critics also argue that it underemphasizes children’s agency in negotiating family expectations. Furthermore, feminist scholars like Morash and Chesney-Lind have criticized the theory for focusing too narrowly on control, neglecting how girls are socialized into caring, pro-social roles that may also account for lower rates of delinquency.
Beyond its original framework, Hagan’s Power-Control Theory has been linked by scholars to broader concepts such as hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1987). While Power-Control Theory focuses on how family structures reproduce gendered differences in freedom and risk-taking through differential socialization, research on hegemonic masculinity highlights how culturally dominant ideals of manhood valorize aggression, dominance, and risk behavior. These cultural norms encourage boys and men to demonstrate toughness and autonomy, reinforcing patterns of male delinquency and violence. By showing how families transmit unequal expectations, Power-Control Theory helps explain the early foundations of these masculine norms, while theories of hegemonic masculinity examine how such ideals are maintained and legitimated across social institutions and cultures.
Implications for Criminal Policy
Power-Control Theory suggests that crime prevention efforts should address the ways in which family power dynamics and gender socialization shape risk-taking and self-control. Policies promoting gender equality in family roles and economic opportunities can influence parenting practices and reduce gender gaps in delinquency. The theory also supports interventions that recognize the importance of equitable, supportive family environments in fostering self-control and conformity among both boys and girls.
Literature
Primary Literature
- John Hagan, A. R. Gillis, and John Simpson (1987). „Class in the Household: A Power-Control Theory of Gender and Delinquency.“ American Journal of Sociology, 92, 788–816.
- John Hagan, A. R. Gillis, and John Simpson. „Feminist Scholarship, Relational and Instrumental Control, and a Power-Control Theory of Gender and Delinquency.“ Link
