Gender And Crime Flashcards
Introductions to crime and gender
80% of all known crime is committed by men.
Men are more likely to commit violent crimes.
Men have higher rates of recidivision (criminal careers).
Why men commit more crimes
- biological explanations
- early socialisation
- social control
Explanations for crime
Biological explanation: Girls naturally mature faster than boys and can be more docile (testosterone can lead to aggression).
Early socialisation: Differences in socialisation may steer girls away from crime in later life.
Social control: Pressure and expectations of women in society to be a caretaker and in control of their life are greater for women than for men.
Explanations for crime - criticisms
Biological explanations: number of women convicted of violent crimes has tripled in recent years
Early socialisation: evidence to support this cause effect is somewhat questionable
Women in the criminal justice system - reasons for conviction
Many women in the system faced violence, abuse, poverty, addiction, mental ill health and homelessness in their lives. In 2018, 13% of females aged 18-24y/o were convicted of revolving door offences.
Women in the CJS - abuse
75-90% suffered from domestic abuse from a trusted person or family, 63% of 16-24 y/os experienced rape or domestic violence in intimate partner relationships.
50% of women reported emotional, physical, sexual abuse as a child compared to 27% of men.
Women in the CJS - upbringings
School exclusions: girls placed in pupil referral units are more likely to experience sexual harassment. 74% of girls in youth custody are permanently excluded from school.
Being in care: young people aged 16-17 years/o in care are 15x more likely to be criminalised. Almost 2/3 of women aged 16-21 years/o have recently been in statutory care compared to 1/2 of young men.
Women in the CJS - racism
Black/mixed race women are 2x more likely to be arrested. 22% of women aged 18-24 y/o in prison are from BAME groups. Women in BAME groups make up 13% of the general population.
Women in the CJS - biological needs
Menstruation, pregnancy, birth, menopause.
In the UK, there’s only 6 mother and babies units that accommodate for women in prison.
In the 1990s, there were stories of women in labour chained to their hospital beds.
2019, there were 2 tragedies of babies dying in prison.
600 pregnant women enter the CJS every year.
Women in the CJS - women’s complex needs
Many are more offended than offenders. March 2021: self harm rates in women’s prisons were at a 10 year high. Young girls in prison are met with physical force, restraint and isolation.
In prison: 25% of females reported feeling suicidal vs. 12% of males, 40% of females reported mental health issues vs. 25% of males, 25% of females reported drug/alcohol abuse problems vs. 13% of males, 49% of women in prison were diagnosed with anxiety and depression vs. 19% of the overall female population.
