NCJ Number
46545
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
NATIONAL DATA ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF FEMALES IN TYPE I INDEX CRIMES (SERIOUS OFFENSES) FROM 1953 THROUGH 1974 ARE EXAMINED AND COMPARED WITH DATA ON MALES.
Abstract
TYPE I OFFENSES INCLUDE CRIMINAL HOMICIDE, MANSLAUGHTER BY NEGLIGENCE, ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, BURGLARY, LARCENY, AND AUTO THEFT. SOME TYPE II OFFENSES ARE NOTED AS THEY RELATE TO CHANGES IN ARREST PATTERNS FOR WOMEN OR TO PARTICULARLY HIGH ARREST RATES FOR WOMEN. THE PROPOSTION OF WOMEN ARRESTED IN 1974 WAS GREATER THAN THE PROPORTION ARRESTED ONE DECADE AND TWO DECADES EARLIER. THIS INCREASE WAS GREATER FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES ALONE THAN IT WAS FOR THE COMBINATION OF ALL TYPE I AND II OFFENSES. THE INCREASE IN FEMALE ARREST RATES FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES IS ATTRIBUTABLE ALMOST ENTIRELY TO INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF FEMALES IN PROPERTY OFFENSES, PARTICULARLY LARCENY. THE PROPORTION OF FEMALES ARRESTED FOR VIOLENT CRIMES CHANGED LITTLE OVER THE PERIOD EXAMINED. TYPE II OFFENSES SHOWING THE GREATEST INCREASE IN INVOLVEMENT BY WOMEN ARE EMBEZZLEMENT, FRAUD, FORGERY, AND COUNTERFEITING. THE DATA ARE SAID TO SUGGEST THAT, AS WOMEN INCREASE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOR FORCE, THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO COMMIT CERTAIN TYPES OF CRIME ALSO INCREASES. NINE TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)