Uncovering factors of desistance from crime among male delinquents in Hong Kong

Desistance from crime has become a fashionable topic in criminological research around the globe in recent two decades. Many studies have explored the experience of desistance for adult, but fewer studies have focused on the process among delinquent youth. Most of the studies on desistance are undertaken in developed Western countries. Theory and research for explaining desistance in non-Western societies are rare. Apparently, it is not known whether the knowledge generated from previous desistance studies are applicable to Chinese societies. Based on the self-reported data and the official criminal records collected from 30 male delinquents, this paper will discuss factors of desistance from crime in a Chinese society. It is found that the factors associated with desistance are a revival of reciprocal family bond (reciprocal filial piety), having a positive acquaintance with peer have a faith in Christianity. Reciprocal filial piety seems to be more inferential than all other variables as it could help young people to be free away from staying at the vicious cycle of labelling and regain a positive status from their illicit past.