NCJ Number
125295
Date Published
1990
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Biological inheritance confers upon males a ready capacity to sexually aggress which must be overcome by appropriate training to instill social inhibitions toward such behavior.
Abstract
Variations in hormonal functioning may make this task more or less difficult. Poor parenting, particularly the use of inconsistent and harsh discipline in the absence of love, typically fails to install these constraints and may even facilitate the fusion of sex and aggression rather than separate these two tendencies. Sociocultural attitudes may negatively interact with poor parenting to enhance the likelihood of sexual offending, if these cultural beliefs express traditional patriarchal views. The young male whose childhood experiences have ill-prepared him for a prosocial life may readily accept these views to bolster his sense of masculinity. If such a male gets intoxicated or angry or feels stressed, and he finds himself in circumstances where he is not known or thinks he can get away with offending, such a male is likely to sexually offend, depending on whether he is aroused at the time. All of these factors must be taken into account when planning treatment for male sexual offenders. The effect of pornography on the frequency of sexual crimes is discussed. 128 references.