gender and crime

GENDER AND CRIME-

Criminal statistics show that women commit less crime than men.

Stats

80% of those convicted of serious crimes like murder are men.

Conviction of serious crimes

- the statistics are incorrect- women are more deceitful and commit more crime than is acknowledged but are often treated more leniently.

Pollak

the stats are largely correct; women commit less crime than men, because they are simply less criminal than men.

Feminist sociologists-

women commit just as much crime as men but their crime is more hidden. Pollak argues that the CJS is more paternalistic. Females do not fit police stereotypes so are less likely to be stopped, arrested and charged. They are subjected to softer treatment than men.

The chivalry thesis-

- men are socialised into more aggressive and individualistic behaviour that makes them more inclined to be criminal.

Smart and oakley

- boys in the uk are socialised into a hegemonic masculine value system- stresses differences from femininity.

Messerschmidt

mcrobbie and garber- bedroom culture, has led to girls being less deviant hidden away in their rooms compared to boys out playing in the streets.

Control theory

- women are controlled so they don't have the time to commit illegal activity as they have to look after the house and children. They are also highly controlled by husbands leading to no criminal activity.

Hidensohn

Women's liberation from patriarchy will lead to a new type of female criminal, one with greater opportunity and confidence to commit crime.

Adler- liberation theory-