gender socialisation

• gender socialisation theory argues that girls and boys are socialised differently, resulting in boys becoming more delinquent.
• Sutherland (1949) claims that girls are supervised and controlled more, whereas boys are encouraged to take risks, be tough and aggressive, so they have more opportunity and inclination to commit crime.
• role models


  social learning theory suggests that we learn about gender behaviours through observation and imitation of role models.

  for girls, the key role model is their mother and for boys it is their father.
• role models


  Parsons suggests that girls have an easily accessible role model in the form of their mother, whereas traditionally fathers have been rather elusive role models, as they are less frequently available for their sons.

  this means that boys will reject the "feminine" influence of their mother, and instead pursure a "masculine" identity, embracing toughness and aggression, both of which are likely to cause delinqueny, and ultimately criminal behaviour.
• role models


  to fulfill this masculinity, boys may turn to male peer groups, such as street gangs.

  in these social contexts, aspects of masculinity can be expressed and rewarded - the idea of toughness and breaking the rules can help to conform to the idea of masculinity.
• social control


  partriarchal societies are those where men and fathers dominate, so there is also the argument that girls are socialised away from criminal behaviour.

  Heidensohn (1985) proposed daughters are "controlled" at home, expected to do more housework - there is more time taken up by their domestic roles instead of committing crime.. i.c sons are allowed to stay out later.
• social control


  the "glass ceiling" prevents women from rising to senior positions and having fewer opportunities to commit white collar crime

  the way in which the media portrays crimes against women also controls women - this fear of crime, such as rape, causes women to stay at home, and have less opportunity to commit crime.