Discuss how far sociologists would agree that women are less likely to commit crime than men.

It is a well-established fact that men are much more likely to commit crimes than women. For example, in 2019, men made up 74% of defendants in magistrates' courts and 95% of defendants in Crown Courts in England and Wales. Sociologists have put forward various explanations for this gender gap in offending, which we will examine in this essay.

Feminism

Feminist theory offers several explanations for the gender gap in crime. Firstly, feminists argue that patriarchy, a system of male dominance, shapes societal expectations and opportunities, limiting women's roles and restricting their access to power. Traditional gender roles often confine women to the domestic sphere, reducing their opportunities for engaging in certain types of crime.

Secondly, feminists highlight the gendered socialisation process, where girls are socialised to be more passive, obedient, and risk-averse, while boys are encouraged to be assertive, dominant, and take risks. These socialisation patterns may contribute to differences in criminal behaviour.

Thirdly, feminists point to the prevalence of male violence against women, which can lead to women being controlled and intimidated, further restricting their opportunities for criminal activity. For example, women might be afraid to go out after dark for fear of being attacked, which limits their opportunities to commit crime.

Opportunity to Commit Crime

Sociologists like Frances Heidensohn (1985) argue that women's lower crime rates can be attributed to their limited opportunities to offend. Heidensohn highlights the concept of "control theory," suggesting that women's behaviour is more strictly controlled than men's, reducing their chances of engaging in criminal behaviour.

According to Heidensohn, control is exerted in various spheres of women's lives:

• At home: Women are often responsible for housework and childcare, limiting their time and freedom for criminal activities.
• In public: Women may face harassment and fear of violence, restricting their movement and opportunities. This is known as women having a ' fear of crime'.
• At work: Women may experience discrimination and segregation in the workplace, limiting their access to opportunities for white-collar crime.

However, critics argue that Heidensohn's theory underestimates the extent of female offending and fails to account for the growing number of women in positions of power, where they may have greater opportunities for corporate crime.

Chivalry Thesis

The chivalry thesis proposes that women are treated more leniently by the criminal justice system, leading to an underestimation of female offending. This leniency could manifest in various ways, such as less frequent arrests, lighter charges, or more lenient sentences compared to men for similar offenses.

Evidence supporting this perspective includes research by Otto Pollak (1950), who argued that women are more skilled at concealing their crimes and that the criminal justice system, often dominated by men, is more lenient towards women due to paternalistic attitudes. He also suggested that women are better at feigning innocence.

However, critics challenge the chivalry thesis, arguing that it overlooks the harsh treatment experienced by some women offenders, particularly those who deviate from traditional gender roles or are perceived as "doubly deviant" (breaking both the law and gender norms). Additionally, some studies suggest that the leniency towards female offenders may be declining as gender roles become less rigid.

Increase in Female Criminal Behaviour

While women's overall crime rates remain lower than men's, there is evidence suggesting an increase in female criminality in recent decades. This trend has been attributed to various factors, including changing social and economic roles for women, increased opportunities for certain types of crime, and changes in law enforcement practices.

For example, the rise of the "ladette" culture in the 1990s, characterized by increased female alcohol consumption and assertiveness, has been linked to a rise in female violence and disorder offences. However, this might also be due to changes in the way police recorded crime and increased willingness to arrest women for violent offences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while official statistics indicate that women are less likely to commit crimes than men, sociologists offer various explanations for this gender gap. Feminist perspectives highlight patriarchy, gender socialization, and male violence as contributing factors, emphasizing the societal constraints on women's lives. Heidensohn's control theory further reinforces this notion by highlighting the control mechanisms operating in different spheres of women's lives.

However, the chivalry thesis challenges the accuracy of official statistics, suggesting an underestimation of female offending due to lenient treatment by the criminal justice system. Nevertheless, critics point out the harsh treatment faced by some women offenders, questioning the universality of chivalry.

Finally, the observed increase in female criminal behaviour in recent decades adds complexity to the debate, highlighting the evolving social and economic landscape and its potential influence on offending patterns. Therefore, while sociologists agree that women are statistically less likely to commit crimes, they offer diverse explanations that go beyond simple biological arguments, taking into account the complex interplay of societal structures, gender roles, and individual experiences.