Women and crime rates Flashcards
(15 cards)
Evaluate sociological explanations into the relationship between femininity and crime
Sex Role Theory
Patriarchal Control
Social Class and Gender deals
Liberation Thesis
What is sex role theory in relation to female crime?
Sex role theory suggests girls are socialised into gentle, conformist roles while boys are encouraged to be aggressive—making girls less likely to commit crime.
Supported by Parsons (1955) and Abbott & Wallace.
What does Parsons argue about female crime?
Parsons argues that girls are socialised into expressive roles like the housewife, making them less likely to take risks or commit crime.
What is patriarchal control theory in relation to female crime?
Patriarchal control theory argues women commit less crime because their opportunities are limited by male control at home, work, and in public.
Supported by Heidensohn (1985).
How do Dobash and Dobash support patriarchal control theory?
They found through interviews that many domestic attacks resulted from men’s dissatisfaction with women’s housework—showing male control limits women’s independence.
What are class and gender deals according to Carlen?
Class and gender deals are rewards women expect for conforming—if they can’t access these (due to poverty or abuse), crime becomes a rational choice.
Based on Carlen’s interviews with 39 working-class women.
How does poverty influence female crime according to Carlen?
Women in poverty may fail to access legitimate income (class deal) and stability (gender deal), so crime becomes a more attractive option.
What is the liberation thesis in relation to female crime?
The liberation thesis argues that as women become freer from patriarchy, they gain more opportunities—including criminal ones.
Proposed by Adler (1975).
How does Adler explain increasing violent and white-collar crime among women?
As patriarchal restrictions lessen and women gain more legitimate roles, they also gain more illegitimate ones—leading to more serious crime like white-collar and violent offences.
What is a criticism of sex role theory in explaining female crime?
Walklate (2003) criticises sex role theory (Functionalism) for assuming biological determinism. It suggests women are naturally passive due to expressive roles
What is a limitation of patriarchal control theory?
Naffine (1987) and Walklate (2008) critique Heidensohn’s patriarchal control theory (Radical Feminism) for assuming women are passive and generalising their experiences across class and culture.
What is a key criticism of Carlen’s class and gender deals theory?
Carlen’s theory (Control Theory/Feminist Criminology) is based on only 39 working-class women—too small and unrepresentative to explain crime across all social groups.
What is a weakness of Adler’s liberation thesis?
Chesney-Lind (1997) critiques Adler’s liberation thesis (Feminist Criminology) for overestimating women’s access to serious crime. Most offenders remain working-class and excluded from organised crime.
