NCJ Number
84531
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Although crimes by females have been increasing, albeit not in significant proportion to crimes by men with the exception of larceny, there is no indication that female offenders have been strongly influenced by the Women's Liberation Movement, but the Liberation Movement has increased researchers' attention to female offenders.
Abstract
According to Uniform Crime Reports arrest data for 1962-75, urban arrest rates for women have risen in every category of crime in the violent crime index and in the property crime index; however, the arrest rate for men has increased accordingly for all but larceny, where in 1962, women were responsible for 19 percent of the larcenies and for 38 percent in 1975. The Women's Liberation Movement, however, which began in the latter part of the 1960's, has not apparently influenced the attitudes of the typical female offender. Researchers hypothesize that the social influences that have increased crimes by males have also increased crimes by women, notably increased urbanization, unemployment among the uneducated, and poverty. Particular social changes that may have influenced the rise in female crime are increased involvement in the work force and more independence from the mother role, as indicated by the declining birth rate. The Women's Liberation Movement has influenced researchers to question earlier theories that attribute the crimes of females to their uniquely feminine biology and psychology. Researchers have also noted discrimination in the treatment of females in the criminal justice system, sometimes to the comparative advantage of the female offender, but often to her disadvantage. Convictions tend to be fewer and sentences lighter for adult females, but female juveniles are more likely than males to experience intervention, and vocational training for female offenders tends to be more limited than that available for male offenders. Data on arrest rates are provided by offense, and 16 footnotes are listed.