Exploring Family Role as a Social Alternative of Crime Prevention in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan)

Muhammad Bilal1, Bilal Khan2 & Hassan Shah3

Abstract
We understand crime(s) as a learned behavior which can be approached
through symbolic interactionism. Drawing on the same understanding, this study
explores social alternatives of crime prevention. Mainly this small scholarship
seeks to unearth family‟s role as a social alternative of crime prevention in the
district Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Theoretically, this study
is informed by social learning theory to question: How social interaction at family
level influence sits members‟ socialization and can contribute to crime prevention.
It is pertinent to mention here that within the social learning theory, this study
specifically draws on Bandura and Walters‟ concepts of imitation and modeling.
Interpretivist epistemology guides the methodological application of this study. A
sample of 21 respondents (7 criminals, 7 police officials, and 7 lawyers) was taken
through purposive sampling and collected data through interview guide. Thematic
analysis helped in data analysis. The study findings suggest that mutual
cooperation and understanding, love and harmony, and friendly environment
among family members prove family role as strong social alternative of crime
prevention.

Keywords: Family role, social alternative, crime prevention, primary crime
prevention, secondary crime prevention.