Effect of peer influence on juvenile delinquency

This paper reviews the interrelationship among peer groups, and juvenile delinquency. This paper attempts to explain the effect of peer on juvenile delinquency. The maximum amount of communication and structure of peer may be some of the reasons which provides, the more likely make the child will engage in delinquent activities. Patterns of peer behavior, different type of activities and peer structure have a significant effect on child behavior. This paper examines how peer pressure is present in adolescents and how it may influence or create the leverage to non-conformity to societal norms and laws. It is of great importance the influence of the peers on the social development in the period of middle childhood because it is the period of creating the first friendships. Major features of the peer pressure process are identified as group dynamics, delinquent peer subculture, peer approval of delinquent behaviour and sanctions for non-conformity which include ridicule, mockery, ostracism and even mayhem or assault in some cases.