Power Control Theory: Gender, Delinquency, and Family

Introduction to Power Control Theory

Power control theory argues that treating sons and daughters differently is what causes the difference in risk perceptions between the genders, and is therefore a primary cause of resulting delinquencies. The focus of this discussion is on situations where two parents are present and siblings are of opposite sexes (Blackwell & Mark, 2003). The central concern of power control theory is how gender relations are established, maintained, and perpetuated in society. Notably, the theory attempts to explain "common" delinquent behavior — criminal offenses committed by adults that are not overly serious, such as income tax cheating, driving under the influence, assault, and illegal gambling. These offenses closely parallel those frequently used in deterrence research (Blackwell, 2000).

Considering the various definitions offered across the literature, the meaning implied by the theory remains consistent. Power control theory measures and evaluates patriarchy in two main ways: first, through a traditional relational measure that determines the levels of power that occupations confer on spouses; and second, through the observation that men typically hold more power in workforce environments.

As predicted by power control theory, various forms of parental control increase perceived threats of shame, embarrassment, and legal sanctions among people raised in patriarchal households. Direct effects of parental controls also increase perceived threats of shame and legal sanctions for individuals raised in less patriarchal households; however, there is no similarly significant coefficient in the case of threats of embarrassment. It is therefore apparent that the shared variance of these two variables, as demonstrated in Table 1, precludes finding any significant direct effects on either variable individually.

Further analyses using this method show that the mediating effect of the considered variable on the gender–crime relationship does not differ substantially from the results reported in Table 1, with one exception. In the analysis already conducted, paternal and maternal controls together do not substantially mediate the relationship between embarrassment and gender in more patriarchal households. However, supplemental analysis reveals that one parental control variable does significantly mediate between embarrassment and gender in such household types (Blackwell, 2000).

In a patriarchal family, a wife holds less power relative to her husband, a daughter has less freedom relative to the son, and the daughter is less likely to be delinquent than the son. These differences are not as pronounced in an egalitarian family (Hagan, Simpson, & Gillis, 1987). Power control theory explains variation by considering two key factors:

Impact and Usefulness of the Theory

The theory therefore accounts for declines that are power-specific as they pertain to gender–delinquency relationships, which may have previously required separate liberation and deprivation theories of gender and delinquency.

Blackwell and Piquero (2005) make an effort to bridge the gap between two theories attempting to explain the relationship between crime and gender. The theory holds that parents' power relationships in the workforce are reflected at home, meaning that households experience varying levels of patriarchy. Because different families socialize differently, the types of crimes that arise within households also differ. One factor that affects all groups is the level of self-control: low self-control is associated with higher rates of crime. Results of research into the relationship between self-control, gender, and parental power controls indicate that low self-control contributes to criminality in both males and females. Because males and females respond differently to parental control, it is not straightforward to weigh the resultant effect on self-control based on gender alone.

Power Control Theory and Crime Study

People begin to internalize their gender roles and conceptualize their attitudes about laws and rules during youth. The assertion is that while boys may be deterred directly from delinquency through parental controls, the more effective approach for girls is indirect, since girls more readily internalize attitudes and values favoring obedience. The conclusion is that these internalized beliefs and attitudes stabilize over time.

This line of inquiry builds on the hypothesis that parental controls differ according to household type. Specifically, it explores whether the gender differences in perceived sanction threats persist as children grow into adults — as is the case with other gender characteristics and roles. Cumulatively, the research contributes to the field by expanding power control theory through the incorporation of perceived threats of informal sanctions. This expansion is achieved through an assessment of its internal logic, drawing on insights from power control and criminal literature as well as studies on family dynamics and gender roles. Furthermore, this line of research is among the few that evaluate power control and operationalize the element of "power" in a way that does not contravene the formulations made by the theory's original authors (Blackwell, 2000).

Conclusion

Hagan, J., Simpson, J., & Gillis, A. (1987). Class in the household: A power-control theory of gender and delinquency. American Journal of Sociology, 788–816.

Obrien, R. (1991). Sex ratios and rape rates: A power control theory. Criminology.