Gender

Question 1

What are the statistics of female crime?

Answer 1

1. women make up 5% of prison pop
2. 25% of defendants in court are women
3. women are more likely to be fined when convicted, instead of sent to prison
4. women are generally given shorter sentences

Question 2

Why do Miller and Merton argue that men commit more crime?

Answer 2

because of the culture and lifestyle of young men

Question 3

Why does Marsh argue that men commit more crime?

Answer 3

because they have more opportunities e.g less women in powerful positions, so less likely to commit white collar crime

Question 4

What is the Chivalry Thesis?

Answer 4

1. Pollak - argues men are socialised to be protective of women
2. as most police and judges are men, their chivalry means they are more likely to be lenient
3. leads to underestimation of females in stats
4. form of sexism against males
5. Campbell - did self-report study which uncovered lots more female crimes

Question 5

How can the Chivalry Thesis be criticised?

Answer 5

1. women’s crimes are generally less serious
   e. g less violent
2. women show more remorse, so are treated more leniently

Question 6

What is the Sex Role Theory?

Answer 6

Heidensohn - girls are taught to be passive and to conform

Question 7

What do feminists argue about the social control of females in relation to crime?

Answer 7

1. Abbott and Wallace - girls are more closely watched by parents
2. girls are encouraged to avoid being judged, as bosses are usually male

Question 8

What is the Liberation Thesis?

Answer 8

Adler - the less patriarchal society gets, the more liberated females are, which will increase female crime stats

Question 9

Give 3 reasons why more males than females are convicted of crimes.

Answer 9

1. chivalry thesis Pollack
2. Sex role theory Heidensohn - females more remorseful
3. females commit less crime e.g marginalised so less opportunity