What did Heidensohn say about patriarchal control?
She argued that women commit fewer crimes than men because patriarchal society imposes greater control over women, reducing their opportunities to offend
Where does patriarchal control operate?
Home, at work and in public
Why do women have less opportunity to offend?
Because they have more control at home - women’s domestic role, with constant housework and childcare, imposes severe restrictions on women’s time and movement confining them to the home for l’on periods of time
How can men impose this control at home one women?
Through the threat of domestic violence or through financial power
what happens when daughters become subjected to patriarchal control?
They develop a bedroom culture, socialising at home instead of public spaces
What is an example of patriarchal control in relation to daughters
Not allowed to stay out late
What happens when girls are expected to do more house work?
It restricts their time and movements meaning that they can’t engage in deviant behaviour outside the home
How does control in public effect women?
Fear of being victims of sexual violence controls female behaviour in public places. Media reporting of rapes help to frighten women into staying indoors
What is way females are controlled in public and example?
Through their fear of being defined as not respectable.
E.g. acting or dressing in a certain way can gain a women a ‘reputation’. Women on their own may avoid going to pubs as they fear being regarded as loose
How are women controlled at work according to Heidensohn?
Womens subordinate position at work reduces criminal opportunities. The ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women rising to senior positions where there are more opportunities for white collar crime
What is an evaluation of Heidensohn theory?
Control theory seems to view women’s behaviours as determined by the external force of patriarchal control. It ignores the importance of free will and choice in offending