Gender differences in crime essay

Applying material from item B and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations for gender differences in the patterns of crime.

Gender differences in crime refer to the differences between men and women as the perpetrators or victims of crime. Official statistics show that males commit more crimes than females and there are many explanations for this. However, some sociologists argue that they underestimate the amount of female as against to male offending.

One explanation for females committing more crime than men is gender socialisation. Carol Smart and Ann Oakley suggested that males are socialised into aggressive, self-seeking and individualistic behaviour that may make them more inclined to take risks and commit criminal acts. On the other hand, women are encouraged to adopt feminine characteristics such as being more emotional, les competitive, less tough and aggressive, and more averse to taking risks than men. This socialisation takes place from birth, for example when a baby boy is born the colour blue is associated with clothes, teddies and gifts whereas for a baby girl it is usually the colour pink. It can also take place when children get older, for example through the use of terms such as fireman or police man rather than fire women or police women. These ‘different gender roles’ can lead to gender differences in crime where males commit more crimes than females. 

On the other hand, some sociologists argue that there has been a rise in the female crime rate. Alder’s liberation thesis argues that as society becomes less patriarchal, women’s crime rate rises. This is because opportunities have become more equal resulting in women adopting traditional male roles in both legitimate and illegitimate spheres. As a result women no longer commit traditional female crimes like shoplifting and prostitution. An example of a female criminal is Myra Hindley who murdered young children. Her crime had an impact on society as being a woman many were shocked at how she lacked the caring and motherly nature possessed by many women. This shows a change in the patterns of crime with females committing more serious offences. However, this thesis can be criticised as there is very little evidence of illegitimate opportunity structure of professional crime that has opened up to women. In addition, female criminals who are working class have not experienced liberation.

In contrast, some sociologists argue that women commit fewer crimes than men due to patriarchal control. Heidensohn argues that a patriarchal society imposes greater control over women which reduces their opportunities to offend. She states that patriarchal control operates with the home, in public and at work. Within the home the domestic role of women requiring constant housework and childcare imposes restrictions on their time and movement which means that they spend most of their time at home reducing their opportunities to offend. Men are able to impose this role on women for example, through threat with domestic violence and finance.  Furthermore, there are more restrictions on daughters for going out and staying late and…