Peer Influences on Youth Violence

Peer-Group Affiliation

The peer group plays a major role in the development of its members' self-identities. Youth form their attitudes, opinions, priorities, and goals in conjunction with their peers. Risky behaviors such as violence and delinquency also develop in the context of peer groups and are maintained through reinforcement from peers.

Children who develop friendships with antisocial peers in elementary school are at higher risk for violent behavior. Negative peer influences affect behavior most powerfully when bonds to prosocial individuals are weak. Youth who are rejected by typical peers may find acceptance only in delinquent or antisocial peer groups. Even more, youth who lack academic and social skills are likely to join deviant groups that teach and reward antisocial behaviors.

Gangs

Gangs have been identified as a group of individuals who promote violent acts by their peers. Gangs present a growing challenge to safety and violence prevention. Once a problem only in the largest inner cities, youth gangs have branched out to smaller cities and suburban communities across the country.

Researchers examining the causes of why youth join gangs have found that the risk factors for gang membership are similar to the risk factors for those for participating in violence. Youth who are more vulnerable to the lure of gangs may feel disenfranchised or threatened, have poor school connection, have troubled family relationships, have siblings or friends who are in gangs, or be looking for fun and excitement. These youth typically join gangs to feel accepted, attain status, and increase their self-esteem. Once a member of a gang, youth are more likely to be involved in criminal activities; have academic difficulties; drop out of school; be suspended, expelled, or arrested; and become victims of violence.

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