Gendered Patterns of Offending

Gender and Crime

In this course, Dr Karen Evans (University of Liverpool) explores several topics related to gender and crime. In the first lecture, we think about the differences between men and women as perpetrators of crime. To what extent, in other words, is there a difference between the kinds of crimes committed by men and the kinds of crimes committed by women? In the second lecture, we think about the differences between men and women as victims of crime. In the third lecture, we explore some theories of female offending. Next, we look at the topic of feminist criminology. In the fifth lecture, we consider how some of the more recent, feminist theories of criminology have enhanced our understanding of male criminality. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about the role played by gender in the criminal justice system in England and Wales, and consider whether the criminal justice system would be better served by pursuing substantive rather than formal equality.

Gendered Patterns of Offending

In this lecture, we think about the differences between the kinds of crimes committed by men and women, focusing in particular on: (i) the categorisation of society into 'men' and 'women' generally; (ii) the difference between crimes that take place, crimes that are reported to the police, and crimes that are recorded by the police; (iii) the difficulty of comparing crime statistics between different time periods and/or different countries; (iv) the fact that most crime is committed by men; (v) the different 'patterns of criminality' between men and women, including the ages at which men and women commit crimes, and the reason they commit crimes; (v) the distinction between (less serious) summary crimes, which are prosecuted in a magistrates court, and (more serious) indictable crimes, which are prosecuted in a crown court; (vi) the fact that the crimes committed by women are generally less serious than those committed by men, and (vii) the kinds of crimes most commonly committed by women and their association with domestic and child-rearing responsibilities.