Gender

• Functionalist Sex Role Theory:

  Gender differences in crime focussed on differences in the socialisation of males and females. E.G. - Boys are encouraged to be tough ,aggressive and risk taking. This can mean they are more disposed to commit acts of violence or take advantage Of criminal activities when they expose themselves.
• TALCOTT PARSONS:

  Gender roles in the contemporary nuclear family – Boys are socialised to be tough, masculine and risk taking . This , according to persons ( 1155 ) is typical  of the conventional gender roles in the nuclear family.

   

  Access to role models – Cohen ( 1955 ) -A lack of male role model in the house leads to men’s lack of appropriate socialisation .

   

  Difficulty of socialising boys – This results in Identification with male Street gangs/anti-social models as a source of masculine identity.
• THE NEW RIGHT VIEW – Cohens point is emphasised by the New light, who argue that lone parent families have made an underclass, a social group who have lack of regard for the values/norms in society.
• Criticisms:

  SANDRA WALKATE: 

  • Just because women have biological capacity to bear children, does not mean that they wont commit crime.
  • Ignores importance of free will and  rational choice, something that right Realists look at. The fact that women are often performing domesticated roles all, allows them to hide their crimes.
• • Parsons suggests that women are less likely to be criminals due to their genetic characteristics, this is called sex role theory. 
  • He argues the importance of the ‘expressive leader’ in the primary socialisation of children and suggests women have more to lose if they turn to criminal activity.