NCJ Number
118253
Date Published
1979
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines female crime patterns compared to male crime patterns, female offender profiles, causes of female crime, and the treatment of female offenders.
Abstract
According to official and self-report data, female crime is increasing, especially in the larceny/theft category; the increase in crime by females under age 18 is greater than for adult women, especially for the most serious crimes. In spite of the increase in numbers of crimes committed by females, these crimes continue to represent a very low proportion of the total crime picture. Women represent an even smaller proportion of the incarcerated population than their proportion among arrests would suggest. Many female juvenile offenders, compared with males, come from unstable family situations and are described as having emotional problems. Efforts to explain female crime are rooted in biological and psychological theories, sociological theories, and social-psychological theories. The decreasing discrepancy between the male and female crime rates may in part be explained by the changing status of women. Other explanations are needed, however, to explain the crime increase for both sexes. Treatment of female offenders should match their distinctive needs. Typologies of female offenders are the "conflicted" female offender, the "power-oriented" female offender, and the "passive-conformist" female offender. 8 notes, 63 references.