Gender Convergence and Delinquency

• NCJ Number: 79164
• Journal: Sociological Quarterly Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1981) Pages: 275-283
• Author(s): P Loy; S Norland
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH-27435
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Earlier version of this paper was presented at the meeting of the North Central Sociological Association, Dayton, Ohio, May 1, 1980.

Annotation

This paper tests the hypothesis that delinquency of androgynous and undifferentiated males and females is more similar in frequency than that of traditional males and females. Self-reported delinquency and self-ratings on scales of traditionally feminine and traditionally masculine expectations provide the data for this research. The analysis reveals that, as predicted, androgynous and undifferentiated males and females report more similar frequencies of delinquent behavior than do traditionally masculine males and traditionally feminine females. Undifferentiated respondents report the highest levels of delinquency among females, but the reverse pattern tends to hold for males. These patterns are analyzed and their importance for theory of gender and crime is suggested.

Abstract

Theory about the relationship of gender roles to delinquency illustrates the taken-for-granted assumption that as role expectations of people become more alike, their behavior becomes more similar. (Author abstract)