gender - why women commit less than men

what are they three main reasons for why women commit less crime than men

functional sex role theory

patriarchal control

class and gender deal

who was the key thinker for functional sex role theory?

parsons

who was the key thinker for patriarchal control?

heidensohn

who was the key thinker for class and gender deal

Carlen

what do functionalists sex role theory argue

boys and girls are socialised differenlty

leading to different patterns of behaviour (boys more impulsive and competitive , ego driven) and (girls more passive and nurturing)

parsons argues the nuclear family forces women into being an expressive leader

as a result much less likely to commit crime as female habitus is caring and nurturing

whats a negative evaluation for functionalist sex role theory

the explanation does not account for why some women still commit crime

what does the patriarchal control view argue

Women are subject to greater social control by men

Men survey and control women at home, public and the workplace

This means women have fewer opportunities to commit crime

A negative evaluation point for patriarchal control

Due to the liberation thesis women have gained more independence in recent years and gain positions of power

What did the class and gender deal argue

carlen studied female offenders and argued women are encouraged to conform through two deals

class deal which was women worked hard and obey the law therefore expected rewards such as employment and financial security

And the gender deal where women perform domestic labour for marriage and expect financial insecurity in return