A THEORY PAPER IN CRIME CAUSATION

“INFLUENCE OF PEER PRESSURE CAN LEAD TO CRIMINAL

ACTIVITY”

AUTHORED BY: OBOD, RAIZEN L.

BS CRIMINOLOGY II-DELTA

SUBMITTED TO: PROF. ARVIN JOEY A. ROMO

 Influence of Peer Pressure can lead to Criminal Activity

Teenagers have an increase in responsibilities, increased parental and

academic expectations, and a developing sense of injustice in the world. Teenagers'
behavior changes as they transition from childhood to adulthood are frequently
described as "finding themselves" or "testing the bounds," respectively. The peak age
for criminality for several less serious offenses is between 15 and 17 years old. Peer
pressure is one factor that contributes to the surge in crime at this age.

Criminal activity can and often does result from peer pressure. Teenagers
struggle mightily to fit in. They wish to stand out among their peers. They want
validation for themselves. They frequently act in ways they never would have on their
own when under pressure from others to engage in unlawful acts like shoplifting,
stealing, the use of illegal narcotics, etc.

According to Wikipedia, People of all ages, genders, and races can be impacted
by peer pressure. The effects of peer pressure on children and teenagers have been
extensively researched, and in everyday speech, the phrase "peer pressure" is mostly
used in relation to those age groups. It's critical to realize that adolescents struggle
with defining their identities. Sociopsychologist Erikson claims that these kids are
particularly vulnerable to peer pressure as a means of acceptance because they are
attempting to establish a feeling of belonging and are faced with role uncertainty. The
most often examined topics for kids are their capacity for independent decision-
making. Peer pressure's effects on sexual activity and drug usage in teens have been
extensively studied.

Peer pressure is well known to have a substantial impact on the lives of all
teens and young adults. During that stage of life, people frequently emulate their peers
and think that what they do is appropriate or, more specifically, "cool and happening."
Peer pressure forces them to jump on the bandwagon as a result. These individuals'
lack of knowledge and expertise has further fanned the flames. As a result, many
young people unwittingly become attracted to vices like drinking alcohol and smoking
by observing their classmates. Peer pressure becomes a major issue when it spreads
beyond alcohol and cigarettes to include other illegal substance use that has the
potential to lead to addiction and ultimately ruin people's life.
 FLOWCHART

This flowchart shows the importance of knowing the meaning of the influence
of peer pressure because it is one of the problems faced by every teenager who has
been influenced to the bad side. It shows that the influence of peer pressure starts at
home and if parents fail to discipline and monitor their child, the problem will start to
build up and the child is likely to be in a bad influence peer group and may end up
making a crime.
 Examples

Peer pressure in Real Stories

Liz (aged 15) says:

“I went to a party with my friends from school. My mom always told me not to allow
any guys to take advantage of me and to stick together with my friends when I’m at
parties. All my friends said they wanted to have some fun with a guy and most of them
said they had been with a guy. I had never been with a guy and didn’t want to. But at
this party, all my friends danced with guys, and I went into the garden with a guy who
said he wanted to go somewhere quiet. I don’t know why I did that. He raped me in
the garden while everyone was having fun at the party. The music was so loud no one
could hear me. The cops came and it was horrible. I don’t want anyone to go through
what I went through.”

Ryan (aged 15) says:

“I like cars a lot. I and my friends started stealing cars over a year ago. I didn’t want to
do it, but we all felt we could have some fun and get away with it… I’ve been caught
twice by the cops, and they say if I do this again, I will go to jail. I don’t like what this
has done to my mom and dad. They don’t want me to hang with these guys anymore
but they’re my friends… I wouldn’t do this on my own but when I’m with the guys it
makes me feel good and I can do stuff.”

Alison (aged 18) says:

“I started doing drugs when I was 15. All my friends were into it, and I honestly felt it
was ok to do the stuff with them. I now know what I shouldn’t have done, and it has
taken me over a year to get back to where I’m at today. I’ve got drugs out of my body.
I still don’t feel good about it and some days can be better than others… but I’m looking
forwards, not backward. I think that’s important. I know it was peer pressure that got
me into that stuff. We all got screwed up. My advice to anyone is if you know that you
shouldn’t do stuff then don’t do it – even if your friends think it’s cool. It’s not worth it…
and your life gets messed up. I still have some of my friends, but they’ve changed.
They’re still trying to get their lives together. Don’t do drugs. You only get one body
and only you can look after it.”
Peer pressure in Movies

Finding Nemo

Disney's Finding Nemo hardly seems like a name one would expect to come up when
discussing peer pressure movies. However, the animated film addresses the topic in
quite a meaningful manner. Nemo is constantly reminded by his father Marlin that he’s
too little to take care of himself and is therefore overprotective of him. However, during
a school trip, Nemo gives in to peer pressure and undertakes a huge risk which lands
him into serious trouble, even putting his life in danger. Nemo learns that his dad’s
caution was not without wisdom and regrets taking the risk. During his quest to rescue
his son, Marlin also realizes that he had been too hard on Nemo and needs to show
faith in his capability to look after himself.

Augusta, Gone

Augusta, gone tells the story of Augusta who suddenly becomes conscious of her body
and what her peers think about her once she turns 14. Already confused and insecure,
her life takes a turn for the worst when she becomes friends with the local “bad girl”
Rain. Under the influence of her new friend, Augusta adopts destructive ways such as
drugs, shoplifting, skipping school, and disrespecting authority. Her mother notices the
changes and tries to intervene. Refusing to turn her back on her daughter despite the
aggressive demands for freedom by the latter, she sends Augusta to a rehabilitation
center, which helps her to reform.

Mean Girls

Mean Girls follows the story of Cady, a homeschooled 16-year-old who ends up falling
prey to a group of popular girls known as the Plastics due to her innocence. To get
back at them, she becomes part of the plan involving joining their ranks. However, the
influence of Regina, the leader of the Plastics, coaxes Cady into missing her friend’s
art show and writing mean stuff about her friends in Regina’s burn book. The contents
of the burn book are eventually made public by Regina, who pins the entire blame on
Cady. Losing her friends, her boyfriend, and the trust of other students makes Cady
realize her mistakes and she goes on to make amends.
 Definition of Terms

Peer

a person who is the same age or has the same social position or the same abilities as
other people in a group

Deviant

used to describe a person or behavior that is not usual and is generally considered to
be unacceptable

Delinquency

behavior, especially of a young person, that is illegal or not acceptable to

most people:

References

 Brown, B. Bradford (2004). "Adolescents' Relationships with Peers". In Lerner,

R. M.; Steinburg, L. (eds.). Handbook of Adolescent Psychology (2nd ed.).
Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 363–
394. doi:10.1002/9780471726746.ch12. ISBN 978-0-471-72674-6.
 https://www.indiaparenting.com/how-can-peer-pressure-lead-to-crime.html
 Cowden, J. (1966). „Predicting Institutional Adjustment and Recidivism in
Delinquent Boys‟ in Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Vol. 57(7).
 https://yourlifecounts.org/learning-center/peer-pressure/peer-pressure-some-
true-stories/#
 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/delinquency