The routine activities theory explains crime and victimization by offering a macro standpoint concerning the manner in which changes in economic and social situations influence the overall rates of crime and victimization. According to the theory, criminal activities serve as a “structurally significant phenomenon.” This means that violations cannot be considered as trivial or random occurrences. As a result, the routine activities that individuals undertake during their daily lives lead certain individuals to serve as victims of crime by a rationally calculating criminal. The theory associates the offending pattern to daily social interaction behaviors. Thus, crime is normal while it depends on existing openings in order to offend. In case an unsafeguarded target exists while sufficient rewards prevail, motivated offenders end up committing criminal activities (Andresen & Farrell, 2015) .
Concerning the routine activities theory, certain key concepts prevail. It needs three components in order for an offense to take place. Firstly, a motivated offender intending to commit a crime and having the capacity to act should be present. Secondly, there must be an ideal target or victim. Thirdly, a capable guardian who has the capacity of hindering the crime from occurring should be absent. These serve as the major components that need to converge in order for crime to take place (Andresen & Farrell, 2015) . An example that can prevail in this case is one attributed to cyberbullying. Many young people face cyber threats when they serve as bullying victims on online social networking sites. Here, the three things that are needed for crime and victimization prevail online environments. On motivated offenders, many criminals exist in online settings. Also, a significant number of “suitable targets” exist online, especially those lacking information about cyber threats. Additionally, guardianship lacks in online settings, since the parental controls that parents install on computers cannot replace guardians, mostly because the controls are incapable of controlling what young individuals say online via the websites they are permitted to access.
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Reference
Andresen, M., & Farrell, G. (2015). The criminal act: The role and influence of routine activity theory. Berlin: Springer.
