ASSESSMENT 2: Proposal
Assessment Question
How do gender inequality and stereotypes shape female offending patterns?
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Contention
Gender inequality and stereotypes are the most relatable source to understand criminal behaviour. Due to patriarchal society, they get more chances to commit a crime while females are categorized as physically weak and dependent, therefore the crime rate of women for heinous crime is lesser than the men.
Paragraph one
Introduction
History indicates that men commit crime more than the women ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"HU1SnPSE","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}Limitations to equality,\\uc0\\u8221{} 2014)","plainCitation":"(“Limitations to equality,” 2014)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":305,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/PBJQX75D"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/PBJQX75D"],"itemData":{"id":305,"type":"webpage","title":"Limitations to equality: Gender stereotypes and social change","container-title":"IPPR","abstract":"An outsider surveying British political life over the past 30 years – who the players are, what the legislative record shows – could pretty reasonably deduce that the equality of women to men has …","URL":"https://www.ippr.org/juncture-item/limitations-to-equality-gender-stereotypes-and-social-change","title-short":"Limitations to equality","language":"en-GB","issued":{"date-parts":[["2014",10,16]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,22]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“Limitations to equality,” 2014). Gender inequality and stereotype are the crucial factors that shape female offending patterns. Many people think that due to gender inequality women hold more aggression and hate which result in violence and other crime while the reality is that women, due to lack, of hold over resources and oppression do not get involved in criminal activities.
Gender inequality is a problem where men get privilege and women have to face discrimination on the basis of gender. Every government and people through various movements tried to get women equality ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"jVnJXaWw","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Cauffman, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Cauffman, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":301,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/ELVLPUJ3"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/ELVLPUJ3"],"itemData":{"id":301,"type":"article-journal","title":"Understanding the Female Offender","page":"24","source":"Zotero","abstract":"Although boys engage in more delinquent and criminal acts than do girls, female delinquency is on the rise. In 1980, boys were four times as likely as girls to be arrested; today they are only twice as likely to be arrested. In this article, Elizabeth Cauffman explores how the juvenile justice system is and should be responding to the adolescent female offender.","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Cauffman","given":"Elizabeth"}]}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Cauffman, n.d.). Still, gender inequality and stereotypes are the constant aspects of society. However, different evidence indicates that because of pervasive gender inequality and stereotypes, the involvement of women in crime is minimum while men with so much privilege and dominant position are more violent and involve in criminal activities ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"PEnV7B8t","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Liddell and Martinovic, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Liddell and Martinovic, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":298,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/V2C9YLUW"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/V2C9YLUW"],"itemData":{"id":298,"type":"article-journal","title":"Women’s Offending: Trends, Issues and Theoretical Explanations","page":"16","source":"Zotero","abstract":"Women are being incarcerated in increasing numbers in Western countries, predominately for minor offences such as drug and property offences. Offending patterns of women relate to property, fraud, theft, deception, minor assaults and drug related crime. There is also a strong link between women’s socio-economic status, illicit drug (and alcohol) use. In addition a perception exists that women are becoming more violent as a result of being violently abused by others in the past. Early feminist theorists believed that the increase in women’s crime was related to women’s equality and liberation. If this is the case can we blame this increase on feminist theory and the increased equality of women? Or is the explanation more complex? This paper contends that it is not possible to consider the current trends in women’s offending in a vacuum - there needs to be theoretical explanations about what is happening. If we can’t explain why women offend, the logic (and thus success) of what we do may be accidental and haphazard rather than clearly planned.","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Liddell","given":"Margaret"},{"family":"Martinovic","given":"Marietta"}]}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Liddell and Martinovic, n.d.).
Paragraph two
Background
The trend indicates that women offender percentage is far lesser than the men offenders. The reason behind this sharp gap is gender inequality and stereotypes ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"woEY3iaZ","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Hu, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Hu, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":297,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/635GGC5V"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/635GGC5V"],"itemData":{"id":297,"type":"article-journal","title":"Gender and criminality: common stereotypes","source":"www.academia.edu","abstract":"Gender and criminality: common stereotypes","URL":"https://www.academia.edu/21952287/Gender_and_criminality_common_stereotypes","title-short":"Gender and criminality","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Hu","given":"Anka"}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,22]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Hu, n.d.).
Paragraph three
Argument one
In our society women are associated with family, traditions and norms where their basic role is to keep their family together, on the other hand, men are responsible for the financial condition of the family. Even when women follow her goal or do a job, the family remains their priority. Therefore, women carry more emotional feelings while men are more practical ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"ZA3bPWN3","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Beckmann, n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Beckmann, n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":309,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/FM2584BK"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/FM2584BK"],"itemData":{"id":309,"type":"article-journal","title":"Female offending and the question of gender specificity","page":"266","source":"Zotero","abstract":"This thesis aims to present an examination of the issue of gender specificity and how it applies to understanding female offending. For several decades, a debate has existed in the literature between two fields, the feminist criminological and ‗risk-need-responsivity‘ camps, regarding the most appropriate way to assess and treat female offenders. A systematic review in chapter two examined factors associated with risk for reoffending in females. It demonstrated that while traditional approaches are adequate in predicting risk for recidivism, they do not appear to fully incorporate the complex presentation of females who offend. An empirical research project examining gender differences in violence subtypes in inpatients demonstrated that females who are instrumentally violent present with the most treatment needs in terms of history of victimisation and mental health needs. However, similarities are also noted between genders, with personality disorders being most predictive of instrumental violence in both males and females. Chapter four presents a critique of the Levenson Self Report Psychopathy scale (LSPS) which was utilised to help delineate gender differences in violent subtypes and is commonly used to assess self-reported traits for psychopathy. The review indicated that the LSPS may offer a reliable and valid way to assess traits associated with psychopathy. However, it is also noted that mixed findings regarding factor structure and potential gender issues suggest that tool should be used with some caveats in place. Results indicate that in the search for understanding gender differences in offending, an exploration regarding the expression of psychopathy and personality disorders across genders is integral. It is evident that the time has come to move beyond the gender specificity debate to work towards a more integrated approach to assessing and managing females who offend.","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Beckmann","given":"April"}]}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Beckmann, n.d.). In this situation, men face more aggression and violent nature than women. Hence, women due to gender inequality and stereotypes remain less violent and aggressive.
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Argument two
In contemporary time, women are more active toward the feminism. Different movements and marches for the equality of the women are observed within a few years. In addition, a sharp increase in the involvement of women in criminal activities and violence has been observed. The governments are focusing on decreasing the gender gap at workplace and privilege is being given to women through priority to the women employee ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"mIHLrkyh","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Bloom et al., n.d.)","plainCitation":"(Bloom et al., n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":304,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/7I3XTMQZ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/7I3XTMQZ"],"itemData":{"id":304,"type":"article-journal","title":"A Theoretical Basis for Gender-Responsive Strategies in Criminal Justice","page":"25","source":"Zotero","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Bloom","given":"Barbara"},{"family":"Owen","given":"Barbara"},{"family":"Covington","given":"Stephanie"}]}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Bloom et al., n.d.). In addition, the wage gap because of gender is also decreasing. With so much positivity where women are getting their rights, violent nature and crime should be decreased. However, the opposite trend had been recorded. With the increase in women power, their involvement in crime and violence is increasing.
Paragraph five
Argument three
Another aspect which indicates the positive relationship between gender inequality and stereotypes with the female offending pattern is the access to opportunities. As women face inequality in jobs and stereotype like weakness and danger related to night jobs, it make difficult to join different types of job. Jobs like a truck driver, guards, and other night shift duties are considered bad for women and men get these opportunities due to the mindset that men are strong and safer. These stereotypes provide men with more opportunities to get involved in criminal activities ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"t4Ll0dba","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}ASARaceCrime.pdf,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“ASARaceCrime.pdf,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":306,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/NQIL26PX"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/NQIL26PX"],"itemData":{"id":306,"type":"article","title":"ASARaceCrime.pdf","URL":"http://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/images/press/docs/pdf/ASARaceCrime.pdf","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,22]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“ASARaceCrime.pdf,” n.d.). They try to get more profit with short cuts while women find fewer opportunities and willingness to do any violent and criminal act. This is how gender inequality somehow plays a positive role in women offending pattern.
Paragraph six: optional
Argument four
All the above stereotypes and social norms make women closer to moral values than men. Women set happiness, family, and positivity as their priority. Opportunities like higher education and good job become the reason for progress rather than the money which minimize their willingness to do any criminal activity. On the other hand, men learn to get a good education for a good job and a good job for a good amount of money in their account ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"JUReZPlR","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":302,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/BH8GZMXR"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/mlRB1JqV/items/BH8GZMXR"],"itemData":{"id":302,"type":"article","title":"90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf","URL":"https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,22]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf,” n.d.). The struggle for money makes them more willing to get involved in criminal activities as a shortcut. Therefore, women offending pattern become less effective due to gender inequality and stereotypes.
Paragraph seven
Conclusion
Therefore it can be concluded that on one side society is working hard to minimize the gender gap and to eliminate the typical stereotypes from society. On the other hand, this gender inequality and stereotype are resulting in low involvement of women in criminal activities. The offending pattern of women gets controlled by the inequality in society.
Key resources
1. 90409_Section_1_Women_and_Crime_An_Introduction.pdf, n.d.
2. ASARaceCrime.pdf, n.d.
3. Beckmann, A., n.d.Female offending and the question of gender specificity 266.
4. Bloom, B., Owen, B., Covington, S., n.d. A Theoretical Basis for Gender-Responsive Strategies in Criminal Justice 25.
5. Cauffman, E., n.d. Understanding the Female Offender 24.
6. Hu, A., n.d. Gender and criminality: common stereotypes.
7. Liddell, M., Martinovic, M., n.d. Women’s Offending: Trends, Issues and Theoretical Explanations 16.
8. Limitations to equality: Gender stereotypes and social change [WWW Document], 2014. . IPPR. URL https://www.ippr.org/juncture-item/limitations-to-equality-gender-stereotypes-and-social-change (accessed 4.22.19).
