NCJ Number
173373
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 1997 Pages: 209-221
Date Published
1997
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Data from 245 interviews conducted in Albany County (N.Y.) in 1980 were used to study the effects of an active night life on involvement in interpersonal violence as either a perpetrator, a victim, or a witness.
Abstract
The interviews took place in a larger study of situational factors in violence. Participants were selected through multistage sampling, starting with random samples in each census tract, followed by the selection of equal numbers of males and females. Participants were asked how many evenings per week they went out for fun and recreation and how many times a week they went to a bar or tavern. Results revealed that males with an active night life were more likely to witness as well as take part in violent encounters, whereas an active night life was not a risk factor for females. The finding that night life affects witnessing violence and engaging in nondomestic violence but not domestic violence supported a routine activity approach over other explanations. Results also revealed that young males and men without family obligations are more likely than other males to be involved in nondomestic violence, partly because they go out at night more often than do other males. Overall, findings suggested that the routine activities of males affect their risk of involvement in violence outside the family. Tables, notes, and 25 references (Author abstract modified)