Social Differentiation in Criminal Victimization: A Test of Routine Activities/Lifestyle Theories

Abstract

Recent theories posit that social differentiation in the risks of criminal victimization is due to variation in routine activities/lifestyles which place some persons or their property in proximity to motivated offenders. For a sample of 107,678 residents in thirteen U.S. cities, measures of the nature and quantity of routine activities outside the home (major daytime activity, frequency of nighttime activity) are introduced to assess the mediational effects of these variables on the demographic correlates of victimization. Routine activities/lifestyle variables have relatively strong direct and mediational effects on individuals' risks of property victimization but not for violent victimization. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for further research on the relationship between demographic variables, routine activities/lifestyles, and criminal victimization. (abstract Adapted from Source: American Sociological Review, 1987. Copyright © 1987 by the American Sociological Association) Victimization Causes Routine Activities Lifestyle Crime Victim Demographic Factors Property Crime Violence Victim 07-02