Routine activities theory and delinquency: Does delinquency lead to victimization?

Using data from the Monitoring the Future Project, this dissertation tests the hypotheses of how certain routine activities and demographic variables may influence victimization. Specifically, this dissertation hypothesizes that as activities become more delinquent in nature, those who participate in such activities are increasing their risk of victimization due to an increase of an absence of capable guardians above and beyond those found and not found in conventional daily activities. It is the inherent nature of the activity which dictates the likelihood of a capable guardian to stop the commission of the offense which is key. Results indicate that as activities are shifted away from the home, there are increased risks of victimization. As activities become more delinquent, there are corresponding rises in the relationships with victimization. In comparison with non-delinquent activities, delinquent activities have the most statistically significant and strongest relationship with victimization. The data further suggest that risk of victimization may be more activity-oriented than race or gender-oriented