Explaining Female Crime Flashcards
(23 cards)
Who argues the functionalist sex role theory
Parsons
What do early sociological explanations of gender differences in crime argue?
There is a difference in the socialisation of boys and girls, e.g. boys socialised into being tough, aggressive and risk taking leading to them being more likely to commit violent acts.
What does parsons trace differences in crime to gender roles to?
The nuclear family
What roles do men and women take on in the nuclear family
Men - instrumental breadwinner
Women - expressive socialisation of children
Examples of boys and girls toys
Boys : cars, weapons, tools
Girls : dolls, toy makeup, kitchen sets
What aspects of feminine models of behaviour do boys reject?
Tenderness, gentleness, emotion. Distance themselves by aggressive and anti social behaviour which can lead to delinquency
What does a lack of a male role model in the family lead to in boys
More likely that boys will turn to male gangs as a source of masculine identity
What does new right theorist Murray argue about a lack of male role model
Boys turn to criminal street gangs as a source of status
What does heidensohn argue about women’s behaviour?
It is conformist - women commit less crime with less severity than men as patriarchal society imposes control over women reducing their opportunity to offend at home , in public and at work
What does Heidensohn argue about patriarchal control of women at home?
Women’s domestic role imposes severe restrictions on their time - confined at home for long periods thus reducing opportunity to offend. Dobash and dobash - many violent attacks stem from men’s dissatisfaction with wife’s performance of domestic duties and exercising of control via financial power
How does patriarchy control women in public?
The threat of male violence against women especially sexual. Islington crime survey found 54% of women avoid going out after dark for fear of crime. Worsened by sensationalist media reporting of rapes. Controlled by fear of being defined as not respectable / reputation
How does the patriarchy control women at work ?
Women’s behaviour is controlled by male supervisors and managers - sexual harassment widespread and keeps women in their place. Women’s subordinate position reduces opportunities to engage in criminal work activities e.g class ceiling prevents senior positions where greater opportunities for crime like fraud
Who talks about the class deal?
Carlen
What does Carlen use to explain crime?
A version of control theory whereby criminals don’t see the benefit of conforming and the benefits of crime outweigh the risks
What is the class deal
Women who work will be offered material rewards
What is the gender deal
Women will get emotional rewards from family life
What happens when rewards from the class deal are unavailable
Crime becomes likely as female criminals are women who failed to find a legitimate way of earning a living. Makes them feel oppressed and in poverty
What happens when rewards from the gender deal are unavailable
Female criminals are women who have experienced DV and saw few rewards and disadvantages to family life. Carlen concluded that for some women crime was the only route to a decent standard of living if they had nothing to lose
Who argues the liberation thesis
Adler
Liberation thesis meaning
As women become liberated from patriarchy there crimes will become as frequent and serious as men’s. No longer just commit traditional female crimes but also men’s too like violence or white collar crime.
What example does Adler use as evidence of women’s greater self confidence
Rise in girl gangs. Patriarchal controls and discrimination have lessened
Evaluation of Adlers liberation thesis
Sharpe - the rise in female convictions may be due to a media inspired moral panic about women being out of control. Found the CJS was influenced by female stereotypes about ‘ladettes’
What do victim surveys show about gender differences in victimisation
Men are more likely to be the victims of street violence like assaults or murders whereas women are generally victims of DV. Although women have a greater fear of crime they are less at risk
