Gender Socialisation Theory

Question 1

What are the patterns of socialisation in boys and girls?

Answer 1

Different patterns of socialisation of boys and girls reinforces behaviour that may encourage criminal behaviour in boys and encourage it in girls

Question 2

How are girls socialised away from criminal behaviour?

Answer 2

More supervised and strictly controlled

Question 3

How are boys socialised towards from criminal behaviour?

Answer 3

Encouraged to take risks and to be tough and aggressive

Question 4

Give examples of how boys and girls are socialised differently?

Answer 4

Clothing
Toys
Language used
Behaviour expectations

Question 5

What is Bandura’s (1977) Social Learning Theory?

Answer 5

Argues that all people (especially children) learn their behaviours by observing and imitating role models

Question 6

Who is most likely to be a role model for a child?

Answer 6

Same sex parent

Question 7

How do children learn gendered behaviour?

Answer 7

Watching children interact and behave at home whilst imitating their same sex parent develops their schema on how each gender should act

Question 8

How do specifically boys learn gendered behaviour?

Answer 8

If boys do not have an active same sex parent role model (as the father is likely to work a lot), socialisation can be difficult as they aim to be the opposite of their mothers femininity

Question 9

Why are boys more likely to engage in criminal behaviour?

Answer 9

Cohen (1955) explained without an active same sex role model, boys may engage in male peer groups and gangs embracing their idea of ‘masculinity’ through violence and aggression

Question 10

How are girls controlled more as children?

Answer 10

Daughters do not stay out late as sons
Are required to do more housework
Majority of social opportunities revolved around the home e.g. sleepovers

Question 11

Why do women have fewer opportunities to commit crime?

Answer 11

Greater time and movement restrictions placed on them by their domestic roles
Glass ceilings within the work place prevents them from reaching senior roles and committing white collar crime
Fear against women leads them to stay home

Question 12

Why are females criminals at risk of ‘double jeopardy’?

Answer 12

Women can be punished for two accounts of guilt, violence and rejecting own femininity

Question 13

Why do women commit crimes?

Answer 13

Crime appears as a rational response to the absence of reward when adhering to the expected social norms
Revenge
To feel liberated and gain control

Question 14

How do the reasons for committing crime differ for men and women?

Answer 14

Men do not need to gain control and power
Men more likely to be impulsive in crime

Question 15

What is a weakness of gender socialisation theory using alternative explanations?

Answer 15

The Chivalry hypothesis suggests that men in positions of the court treat women favourably and act more chivalrous and have lesser punishments

Question 16

What is a weakness of gender association theory using hormonal differences?

Answer 16

Testosterone is shown to be secreted by men at a higher level than women and has been linked to aggressive behaviour
Babbs - found 9/11 with low testosterone had committed non-violent
10/11 with high testosterone had committee violent crimes

Question 17

What is a weakness of gender association theory in relation to being outdated?

Answer 17

This theory was proposed by Sutherland in 1949 therefore may lack temporal validity as women are now rising to senior positions

Question 18

What is a strength of gender association theory in relation to practical applications?

Answer 18

If socialisation is a key component in criminal behaviour, males can be socialised differently e.g. Mann Up Project - support men in exploring masculine identity to reduce negative attitudes and outcomes