SEX DIFFERENCES IN PATTERNS OF ADULT CRIME, 1965-77 - A REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT

• NCJ Number: 68077
• Journal: Social Forces Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (JUNE 1980) Pages: 1080-1108
• Author(s): D J STEFFENSMEIER
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 29 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania State University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THIS IS A REVISED VERSION OF A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 1979 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY

Annotation

THIS REPORT EXAMINES CURRENT CONCEPTIONS OF SEX DIFFERENCES IN ADULT CRIME AND CONTINUED DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE RELATIVE TO MALE CRIMINALITY; IT CONCLUDES THAT ILLEGITIMATE FEMALE EXPERIENCES REMAIN TRADITIONAL.

Abstract

THE REPORT FOCUSES ON ADULT FEMALE CRIMINALITY BECAUSE CHANGES IN SEX ROLES AND THE CONTEMPORARY WOMEN'S MOVEMENT ARE OFTEN VIEWED AS HAVING A GREATER IMPACT ON ADULT THAN ADOLESCENT FEMALES. TRENDS AMONG ADULT AND ADOLESCENT FEMALES ARE COMPARED BRIEFLY. THE ANALYSIS RELIES MAINLY ON UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS (UCR) STATISTICS, BUT THE TREATMENT OF UCR ARREST STATISTICS GOES BEYOND THAT AND HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF PROVIDING STUDENTS OF FEMALE CRIME WITH A DATA BASE FOR EVALUATING AND MONITORING TRENDS IN FEMALE CRIME. TWO PRINCIPAL METHODS OF MEASURING CHANGE ARE USED: ONE IS RELATIVE DIFFERENCES, THE OTHER IS ABSOLUTE DIFFERENCES. ADDITIONAL ANALYSES ARE PERFORMED ON THE ARREST RATES TO EXAMINE MORE CLOSELY CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF OFFENSES COMMITTED BY FEMALES AND TO DETERMINE IF THE PROFILE OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER HAS BEEN CHANGING. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE FACTORS SHAPING SEX DIFFERENCES IN ARREST PATTERNS ARE CHANGES IN REPORTING PROCEDURES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES, ECONOMIC FACTORS, THE MAINTENANCE OF TRADITIONAL CONCEPTIONS OF FEMALE ROLES, LIMITED ACCESS TO ILLEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO RESTRICTED PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGITIMATE LABOR MARKET, AND THE ABSENCE OF VIABLE FEMALE CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES OR OF ACCESS TO MALE CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES. THE INTERPRETATION OF AVAILABLE DATA IS THAT FEMALES ARE NOT CATCHING UP WITH MALES IN THE COMMISSION OF VIOLENT, MASCULINE, MALE-DOMINATED, SERIOUS (EXCLUDING LARCENY) OR WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES. FEMALES MADE ARREST GAINS IN THE UCR CATEGORIES OF LARCENY, FRAUD, FORGERY, AND VAGRANCY, BUT LOCALIZED STUDIES OF ARREST AND COURT STATISTICS INDICATE THAT SUCH GAINS ARE DUE TO MORE WOMEN BEING ARRESTED FOR TRADITIONAL FEMALE CRIMES. STATISTICAL TABLES AND EXTENSIVE REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MFE)