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Minimum Dropout Age and Juvenile Crime in the USA

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  • Md. Abdur Rahman Forhad

    (Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET))

Abstract

This study examines the effects of a minimum dropout age (MDA) on juvenile crime in the community. The findings are that increasing the MDA from 16 to 18 decreases the crime rate by 9%. The results imply that an MDA greater than 16 reduces crime in the community for individuals aged 16-to-18. Although a higher MDA is primarily intended to increase educational attainment, this policy has a secondary impact on reducing community crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Md. Abdur Rahman Forhad, 2021. "Minimum Dropout Age and Juvenile Crime in the USA," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 47(3), pages 378-405, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:47:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1057_s41302-020-00184-2
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-020-00184-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Minimum dropout age; High school; Community crime;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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