NCJ Number
198378
Date Published
2002
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses three common criminalogical theories which attempt to explain why women offend much less than men.
Abstract
The chapter examines three theoretical perspectives and proposes avenues for theoretical integration. The three theories which attempt to explain the gender gap in deviance that are discussed are: (1) the application of male offender theory to women; (2) the focus on gender differences to explain deviant behavioral differences between males and females; and, (3) the emphasis on male-dominated theory construction. It is recommended here that all three theories need to be taken into account in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of deviant behavior by adolescent females. The chapter provides a review of literature on the development of deviance among females. Discussion focuses on such topics as mainstream criminological theories applied to females including integrative models, gender differences and deviant behavior, and biological and physical influences, including from sex differences to gender differences and the gendered context of deviance; a critical stand toward male criminology; and challenges and prospects. Tables are provided containing information on self-report deviance, adjudicated adolescents from Montreal; synthesis of table 5.3 of Tracy and Kempf-Leonard; and cumulative participation by age and descriptive categories for both males and females by authority, covert, overt, and reckless. References