Perceived parental behavior and peer affiliations among urban African American adolescents

This article examines the role of parenting behavior in adolescents' peer group formation using a sample of 238 African American adolescents living in urban public housing projects. The study also assesses the moderating effect of age and gender on the relationship between parenting behavior and peer affiliations. Girls reported significantly higher parental supervision than boys. No gender differences were detected for parental encouragement and support. Results from the multivariate analysis suggest that parental supervision and encouragement may have a protective effect against affiliation with delinquent peers. Results from this analysis have implications for social work practice, remediating negative developmental trajectories among this vulnerable population.