NCJ Number
89205
Journal
Social Forces Volume: 61 Issue: 4 Dated: (June 1983) Pages: 1010-1032
Date Published
1983
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article explains sex-segregation in the underworld, based on an understanding of underworld culture and organization.
Abstract
Compared to males, potential female offenders are at a disadvantage in selection and recruitment into criminal groups; in the range of career paths and access to them; and in opportunities for tutelage, increased skills, and rewards. Women tend to select criminal behaviors congruent with sex roles; they gravitate to those activities which are easily available, are within their skills, provide a satisfactory return, and carry the fewest risks. Thus, if women are less into crime and less successful at it, this is the result of their lack of access to organizations and social contacts that would enable them to pursue crime more safely and profitably. Institutional sexism is so consistent and pervasive that significant shifts in sex differences in criminal behavior are unlikely on a large scale for the foreseeable future. Similar constraints face women intent on upperworld crime. Notes and about 90 references are provided.