Impact of Peer Groups on Victimisation in Young Adults- A study on victimisation pattern in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

• In Event: ISRD Panel 4: Focus on Victimisation

Abstract

Research has suggested that there correlation between social structures and criminalities. Most of a young adult's waking hours are spent with friends, family, and college. Time spent with family or in college is known to lower the risk of criminal behaviour while hanging out with friends—especially in larger groups without adult supervision—increases the chance of misbehaviour and victimization. Social learning theory's tenets are employed by subcultural theories to explain why a large portion of crime is performed in groups, occasionally gangs. In other words, according to the social learning theory, friends are the main providers of definitions that support crime and act as motivators for nonconforming behaviour. Unstructured peer socialization and peer criminality are frequently utilized as markers of lifestyle risk. Variations in lifestyles, defined as "routine daily activities" like job, education, and leisure activities, are linked to variations in victimization risk. Rational choice theories are in line with this perspective by emphasizing the possibility of committing a crime, either to validate oneself or to impress others. This empirical article analyses the impact of peer group involvement in any criminal behaviour or activity. The research is done through non-probability sampling with snowballing techniques. Through this, it can be analysed that the social circle one is surrounded by significantly influences and moulds one's behaviour and development, both positively as well negatively.

Authors

• Susmita Priyadarshini Mishra, KIIT Deemed to be University, Odisha, India

• Yogesh Mishra, National Law University, Meghalaya, India