Why Children Follow Rules: Legal Socialization and the Development of Legitimacy

by Tom R. Tyler

As with all social institutions, learning about law and how to relate to it is an important part of growing up. In Why Children Follow Rules , Tom R. Tyler and Rick Trinkner focus on legal socialization, the process by which children and adolescents form their orientation toward the law, and outline what is known about the process across three related, but distinct, family, school, and the juvenile justice system. They emphasize the degree to which individuals develop their orientations toward law upon values of responsibility and obligation, as opposed to fear of punishment. They further argue that when individuals experience authority that is fair, respectful, and aware of the limits of power, they are more likely to consent and voluntarily follow directives. Yet, strong pressures and popular support for the exercise of authority based on dominance and force persist. Given the low levels of public trust and confidence in the police, as well as the legal system in
general, Why Children Follow Rules offers an invaluable tool for understanding how people come to understand their relationship with the law.

280 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Sishi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A highly theoretical book based on summaries of past research (but not new data). The main idea is clear: people are not born believing in law. Family, school, and the CJ system should all work on transparent decision making, fair treatment, and respecting boundaries to educate citizens. The first three chapters repeat the intro too much. What is left out is the issue of resources and public opinion. How cost-effective is it to adopt this approach of civic education? And can this approach earn the consensus (and therefore legitimacy) among the public?