Official statistics show men commit more crime than women, however sociologists disagree on the reasons why.
Some sociologists argue female offending rates go unnoticed and unpunished because the criminal justice system treats women more leniently, throu
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Gender and crime 2
However, some sociologists believe the gender differences in offending are due to the way women are socialised meaning they have less opportunity or desire to commit crime. On the other hand, other sociologists argue women do commit crime, but men merely
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Patriarchal control theory
Heidensohn argues women have at least one male figure in their life who does not want them to commit crime.
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Functionalist sex role theory
Parsons argues that due to their biology and the way they are socialised, women are nurturing by nature, and therefore are incapable of/ do not want to commit crime. Women are too preoccupied being a mother.
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Chivalry thesis
Pollak argues men have a protective attitude towards women and thus are more lenient, so their crimes are less likely to end up in official statistics. For instance, women are more likely to be ‘let off’ for crimes such as speeding.
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Liberation thesis
Adler believes that women are now becoming much more equal in society with men, therefore they now commit more crime.
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Class and gender deals
Carlen suggests that women have two deals, the class deal and the gender deal. The class deal is that if they work hard they will be financially rewarded in life. The gender deal is that if they are a good mother and wife they will be treated well. Carlen
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Masculinity
Messerschmidt argues that masculinity is an accomplishment that men constantly work at constructing and presenting to others. This is referred to as the hegemonic masculinity, which is the dominant and prestigious form men wish to accomplish. Therefore, M
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Globalisation
Winlow argues that globalisation had led to a decline in traditional manual jobs in which many working-class males could express their masculinity through. However, there has been an increase in the night-time leisure economy which has provided a combinat
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Card 2
Front
Gender and crime 2
Back
However, some sociologists believe the gender differences in offending are due to the way women are socialised meaning they have less opportunity or desire to commit crime. On the other hand, other sociologists argue women do commit crime, but men merely
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