The Impact of Economic Empowerment on the Age–Crime Curve of Children Involved in Fuel Smuggling: A Study of the Suburban Areas of Zahedan, Iran
Keywords:
Economic empowerment, Age–crime curve, Fuel smuggling, Children and adolescents, Zahedan suburbsAbstract
The present study aims to examine the impact of economic empowerment programs on the age–crime curve of children involved in fuel smuggling in the suburban areas of Zahedan,Iran. The research employs a survey–correlational design. The statistical population includes all children and adolescents engaged in activities related to fuel smuggling in 2024. Using the Cochran formula and convenience sampling, a total of 384 participants were selected. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire containing 19 items measured on a five-point Likert scale (from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that economic empowerment programs influence the age–crime curve through five main components: increasing legitimate opportunities, strengthening self-control, career orientation, internalizing legitimate norms, and reducing economic pressures. The results of regression analysis indicated that the variables internalization of values (0.77), increasing legitimate opportunities (0.75), strengthening self-control (0.73), career orientation (0.60), and reducing economic pressures (0.65) have the greatest effects, respectively, on the age–crime curve of children involved in fuel smuggling.
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