Pathways to Crime: How Exposure to Violence Shapes Criminal Behavior

Abstract

This study examines the role of exposure to violence in shaping criminal behavior, focusing on three primary sources: community, family and media. Using qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews, the research explores how different forms of violence contribute to criminal tendencies. The findings suggest that community violence fosters aggression through desensitization and peer influence, family violence increases the risk of criminal behavior through psychological distress and normalization of violence and media violence influences attitudes but lacks a direct causal link to criminality. Notably, individuals exposed to multiple forms of violence are significantly more likely to engage in crime due to the absence of positive role models and social support networks. These results underscores the need for targeted interventions including awareness campaigns, early prevention strategies and media literacy programs to mitigate the impact of violence on criminal behavior.

Keywords: Violence exposure, criminal behavior, community violence, family violence, media violence, desensitization, psychological distress