Parental crime and the safety and survival of small children

In this study the association between having a criminal parent and the safety and survival of small
children is analysed. From the System of Social Statistical Datasets (SSD) hosted by Statistics Netherlands, we retrieve information on 10 complete birth cohorts (2000-2009; 1.9 million) of children and their parents. In the analyses we distinguish between hospital admissions/deaths for natural and external seasons and control for demographic and socioeconomic background variables. The effect of parental crimes on the probability that children get injured and receive hospital care, or die before they turn five years is estimated. Logistic regression modelling is applied, controlled for possible confounders. In addition, propensity score matching techniques are used to investigate whether there is a net crime effect and to minimize selection. The findings show that safety and survival only are at stake among highly selective deprived subgroups.