Crime and Gender
Sampson and Laub's Life-course theory suggests that social bonds deter crime, especially when those bonds involve a high degree of personal investment. For example, an individual who is heavily involved in workplace committees and family life would possess strong ties that preclude committing crimes. Moreover, Sampson and Laub's theory acknowledges the ways social bonds evolve over time to explain why criminal behavior may emerge at certain times in a person's life. Sampson and Laub posit turning points as markers of changing social bonds. A divorce, moving to a new community, or meeting a new friend can each be turning points that alter social bonding. If bonding strengthens, criminal behavior may be deterred. If the bonding weakens then the individual may be more prone to committing crime. Trajectories are also based on the changes in social bonding patterns. A person growing up in an impoverished community with weak familial bonds may be more likely to commit crimes than a person from a financially and socially stable environment. The Sampson and Laub Life-course theory can explain the gender gap in crime. Males and females may experience different turning points and trajectories. The same turning point can be construed differently for males vs. females. For example, joining a gang would be a powerful turning point but one that might result in greater male vs. female criminality. Males may also be more pressured by peers to join gangs and commit gang-related crime in order to sustain the deviant social network. Males and females might also experience different trajectories due to their differential parental and peer social bonding.
Opportunity theories of crime explain why boys are exposed to a greater number of opportunities to commit crime. One potential reason why boys are exposed to a greater number of opportunities to commit crime is their different methods of social bonding. Family ties and nurturing behaviors are discouraged as being stereotypically feminine expressions, whereas deviant behaviors are encouraged as being expressions of masculinity. In other words, gender norms determine opportunities for crime. Another reason why boys may be exposed to more opportunities to commit crime is related to lifestyle habits and routine behaviors. Boys may be more likely to commit crimes because their daily routines and habits involve high-risk behaviors including heavy drinking or fighting.
References
Information gleaned from "Module 2."
