Gender + Crime

Question 1

What is the most important thing to remember when talking about gender + crime?

Answer 1

IT INCLUDES MEN

Question 2

How many time more likely are men to get:

a) taken to court
b) arrested
c) sent to prison

Answer 2

a) x 3
b) x 5
c) x 11

Question 3

What % of the prison population is female?

Answer 3

Less than 5%

Question 4

How does the Strain theory explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime?

Answer 4

M = more likely to innovate to achieve goals (social pressure to achieve legitimate goals as ‘breadwinners’)

W = more likely to be ritualists, ‘carry on regardless’ (socialised to be less ‘risk-taking’)

Question 5

How do subcultural theories explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime? (5)

Answer 5

1. Young M + W have different ‘focal concerns - due to social construction of masculinity/ femininity
2. W experience status frustration in patriarchal S, turn to crime to achieve status
3. M = greater access ‘illegitimate opportunity structure’ (Cloward + Ohlin) ; = less socially controlled
4. McRobbie: girls = more likely to participate in ‘bedroom’ subculture
5. Miller: M may be less able to control subterranean values; have more opportunities to express them

Question 6

How do ecological theories explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime?

Answer 6

M participate in ‘nocturnal economy’ (9pm-3am) in town centres, more than W
BUT may be changing as binge-drinking amongst W increases

Question 7

How does the labelling theory explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime? (3)

Answer 7

1. Acts committed by M = more likely to be labelled as deviant
   BUT men have more power/influence to define activities as criminal
2. Cicourel: negotiated justice, police have discretion + gender may influence the decision to stop/ arrest individuals
3. W risk being labelled as double deviants

Question 8

How do Marxist Feminists explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime?

Answer 8

Crime = rational response to crime
BUT W = more likely to be Vs of male crimes; = ‘takers of shit’ (Ansley)

Malestream sociology has ignored W as Vs of crime/ as criminals + in terms of types of crime they commit
Heidensohn: = an invisibility of w in criminology

Smart (1976): W = often seen as double deviants

Question 9

How does New Left Realism explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime?

Answer 9

Young Black Men = more likely to suffer relative deprivation + marginalisation
May lead to more crime + formation of sub-culture responses

African Caribbean W may be less likely to participate in deviant subcultures/ feel less marginalised/ relatively deprived; of better educational achievement + higher status in matrifocal families

Question 10

How does New Right Realism explain the gender differences in the distribution of crime?

Answer 10

Loss of traditional family values, increased SPF, welfare dependency, feminism + rejection of housewife role has led to ‘Broken Britain’
Has increased crime amongst wc M + W

Question 11

Suggest a reason why the changing roles of W might explain why W are committing a higher proportion of crime

Answer 11

W have become more independent + confident