NCJ Number
80760
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 37-50
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using urban arrest statistics of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, the study examined whether sex differences in crime have been diminishing from 1934-79.
Abstract
The sex differential has narrowed in most offense categories since the 1930's, with the largest narrowing in the 1960's and 70's. Women made the most significant gains in the petty property crimes of larceny, fraud, and forgery and in the sex-related crimes of vagrancy and disorderly conduct. They made relatively small gains in traditional male crimes. Larceny accounts for an increasing proportion of female crime. This narrowing of the sex differential reflects changes in law enforcement practices and in statistical coverage as much or more than changes in actual behavior. Not only are female gains small in most categories, but they are likely to be inflated due to the combined effects of rising rates for both sexes and the smaller base rates of women compared with men. Tables, footnotes, and 51 references are supplied.