NCJ Number
63755
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WOMEN'S LIBERATION AND THE INCREASE AND WIDER VARIETY OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY WOMEN AND FEMALE JUVENILES.
Abstract
ADEQUATE STUDY OF FEMALE DELINQUENCY EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WOMEN'S LIBERATION AND THE CHANGE IN THE TRADITIONAL PATTERNS OF FEMALE DELINQUENCY IS LACKING. THE SOCIAL CONTEXT IN WHICH DELINQUENCY OCCURS, THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH DELINQUENT ACTS AND SITUATIONS ARISE, AND THE SPECIFIC MANNER IN WHICH CHANGES IN FEMALE ROLES MAY HAVE HAD AN EFFECT ON THE PATTERNS OF DELINQUENCY INVOLVEMENT ARE ALL ISSUES THAT MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN SUCH RESEARCH. CHANGING PATTERNS OF FEMALE INVOLVEMENT HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN EXPLAINED BY PERSONAL MALADJUSTMENT AND HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TERMS. HOWEVER PROPONENTS OF THE WOMEN'S LIBERATION EXPLANATION ARGUE THAT THE MOVEMENT IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASED MISCONDUCT, THAT INCREASED MISCONDUCT IS BASED ON IDEOLOGICAL AWARENESS, AND THAT DISSATISFACTION WITH THE FEMALE ROLE HAS LED TO A CONVERGENCE OF SEX ROLES. OPPONENTS OF THIS VIEW BELIEVE THAT THE EFFECTS OF THE MOVEMENT ARE MORE INDIRECT AND THAT GIRLS ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF SUCH CHANGES RATHER THAN THE CATALYSTS. CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES FROM WOMEN HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASED FEMALE CRIME. THESE INCLUDE MORE MOBILITY AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, LESS PROTECTIVE RESTRICTION WITHIN FAMILIES, LESS SUPERVISION DUE TO BROKEN HOMES, A WEAKENING OF CUSTOMARY PEER CONTROL ON BEHAVIOR, AND GROWING TOLERATION OF TRADITIONALLY MALE BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF FEMALES. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)