ABSTRACT
One of the distinctive features of the adolescent years is the degree to which peers take on added importance and influence. Therefore, it is no surprise that most delinquent acts are committed with friends. Yet the powerful influence of peers during adolescence is often taken for granted, with little consideration of its extent and nature. We often assume that adolescents spend an inordinate amount of time with friends and that their thoughts and actions are almost totally dictated by peer pressure. In terms of delinquency, we assume that delinquent friends are the major force behind the initiation and persistence of delinquent offending. Although these assumptions may be true, they tell us little about how peers exert their influence.
