Social Explanation - Sexual Differentiation

Question 1

Patterns of socialisation

Answer 1

Impression of masculinity - even at young age told it is important - shown with toys
-more likely to be risk taking to achieve masculinity - fight or else left out or laughed at

Ministry of justice 95.4% of prisoner UK

Steffenmeier + Schwartz
Boys offered more criminal opportunities - due to stereotype of risk taking + jobs more easily available (construction, deliverers) to get than female

Question 2

Role model

Answer 2

Most children learn gender behaviour from parent - role model
Daughter imitate mum, son imitate dad

Girls always have mother readily available role model
Boy’s dad mostly away for work
-boys mostly have mum to socialise with
-reject behaviour that’s feminine (want masculinity)

Cohen - prolong no father cause criminal behaviour
Feel anxiety as can’t learn masculine behaviour
-turn to male only peer group or street gang
-where masculinity are taught + rewarded - but actions not always good
-some think idea of breaking rules + rebellious gratify masculinity

Acquisitive criminal - does it for thrill

Question 3

Differences in social control

Answer 3

Boys are not just socialise towards crime, girls are socialise away from crime

Heidensohn - women are always under male ‘control’ throughout lives
-can’t stay out as late + more housework than son = develop ways of socialising involving home - sleep over

Rationale behind crime also different

Carlen - 39 convicted women
-rational reason for crime = advantages of crime outweigh the disadvantage of being submissive
-low paying work = no happy life for self or children

Men do it for masculinity gratification

Question 4

Evaluation - Can be explained biologically to find causal relationship

Answer 4

Role of testosterone (high in M, low in F)
Dabbs et al - 9 of 11 inmates with lowest T commit non-violent crime
10 of 11 inmates with high T commit violent crimes

Not just socialisation + social control effect aggression in criminal behaviour

Question 5

Outdated

Answer 5

Adler - society becoming less patriarchal- women more freedom to do what they want - but may = more female crime

Current date - ministry of justice 95.4% prisoner male in uk
Still much more than female
-challenges theory of social control

Question 6

Not ethical

Answer 6

Theory suggest male more likely to be criminals due to masculinity gratification
-can be used against male - more likely to be convicted if they were male
-chivalry theory (pollak)- women who may be guilty but male in justice system punish them less or let go due to stereotypes of women not being involved with crime