Evaluate sociological explanations of gender differences in patterns of Flashcards
What is the Chivalry Thesis?
The idea that the criminal justice system is more lenient towards women due to paternalistic attitudes, meaning they are less likely to be arrested, convicted, or imprisoned than men.
What official statistics support the Chivalry Thesis?
Only 4% of the prison population are women (96% men).
17 out of 100 women sentenced for indictable offences received custody vs. 34 out of 100 men.
Women receive shorter sentences (16 months vs. 25.8 months for men).
How does the Chivalry Thesis explain gender differences in crime?
Judges, police, and juries may see women as less dangerous and more in need of rehabilitation.
Women are more likely to be given cautions or community service rather than prison sentences.
Crime statistics may be misleading as many female crimes (e.g., shoplifting) may go unreported or under-prosecuted.
What are the criticisms of the Chivalry Thesis?
Feminists (Heidensohn, 1985) argue that women who commit violent crimes are treated more harshly, not more leniently (Double Deviance Theory).
Women tend to commit less serious crimes, which could explain why they receive lighter sentences rather than bias in the system.
What is Heidensohn’s Control Theory?
Women commit fewer crimes because they experience greater social control at home, in work, and public spaces, limiting their criminal opportunities.
What official statistics support Control Theory?
75% of TV licence evasion prosecutions were women (reflecting financial and domestic responsibilities).
47% of women’s prosecutions were for summary motoring offences, compared to 20% of men’s, suggesting women commit less serious crimes.
How does social control prevent women from committing crime?
Family expectations restrict women’s time and movements, reducing criminal opportunities.
Workplace barriers (e.g., glass ceiling) prevent women from engaging in white-collar crime.
Public control (fear of male violence, sexual harassment) discourages women from engaging in criminal behaviour.
What are the criticisms of Control Theory?
Fails to explain why some women do commit crime, particularly working-class women facing poverty or abuse.
Does not account for the increasing number of women in gangs or those committing financial fraud.
What does Adler’s Liberation Thesis argue?
As women gain more equality, they are increasingly involved in crime, especially white-collar crime, fraud, and violence.
What official statistics suggest that female crime rates are rising?
Women had a higher average number of reoffences per person (3.97) than men (3.69).
Increase in female participation in theft and drug-related offences.
How does changing gender equality impact female crime rates?
Increased workplace participation gives women more opportunities for financial crimes (fraud, embezzlement).
Greater independence and exposure to male-dominated spaces mean women may engage in violence or gang activity.
Shifting gender norms reduce stigma around female deviance.
What are the criticisms of the Liberation Thesis?
Women’s crime rates remain far lower than men’s, meaning gender equality has not led to equal crime rates.
Working-class women still face greater control compared to middle-class women, limiting their criminal opportunities.
What is Double Deviance Theory?
Women are punished not only for breaking the law but also for breaking gender norms, leading to harsher social and legal treatment.
What statistics support Double Deviance Theory?
Female prisoners have higher self-harm rates than male prisoners (35 per 100 females vs. 13.5 per 100 males).
Women convicted of violent crimes face stronger social/media backlash compared to men.
Why are female criminals often judged more harshly than male criminals?
Women are expected to be caring and passive – violent or sexual crimes go against societal expectations.
Media portrays female offenders differently, often focusing on their motherhood or appearance.
Women receive harsher moral judgement, especially in child abuse or infanticide cases.
What are the criticisms of Double Deviance Theory?
This applies more to violent and sexual crimes but does not explain why women receive lighter sentences for financial or minor offences (Chivalry Thesis).
Does not explain class and ethnic differences in female crime patterns.
