Introduction
To clarify the gender gap, scholars have it that women account for 6.7% of the total federal prison population, implying that the other percentage account for the male Gender (Phillips & Bowling, 2020). Scholars, criminologists, and sociologists have decided to investigate the disparities entangled in male and female treatment in criminal law. The gender gap in mention seems to differ based on different offenses. According to research by scholars, it is stated that males are prone to commit more juvenile and delinquency crimes as compared to the female Gender (O’Neill, 2020). As a result, women receive lenient treatment at various stages of the judicial process compared to males. This paper will critically define the gender gap as related to delinquency and criminology, analyze the roles of economics, race, and labeling theory in society, and the roles of law in conflict theory. The paper will also conceptualize Gender-based theories in criminology.
Definition of the gender gap and its difference based on different offenses
The gender gap in criminology refers to the difference between men and women, as reflected by the political, social, intellectual, and economic reasons for getting jailed and staying behind bars. Dating back to the years 1965 to 2010, the timeline of the gender gap between males and females based on different offenses summarizes what is still happening to date. In 1965, 2.4% of men participated in petty theft cases, while 1.7% of women also participated (Philippe, 2017). In 2010, the percentage of men who took part in petty theft cases was 1.8%, while that of the female Gender was 3.9%. Contextually, there is a clear impression of an increase in petty thefts among women than men. In contemporary times, the population of women taking part in petty cases is approximately 30%, while males account for 18%. Men accounted for 0.9% of violent crimes in 1965, while women had 0.1%. Women maintained the same percentage in 2010, while men increased to 1%. From research, men are more prone to criminal activities than women, accounting for 24.9% of crimes, while females are at 10% (Philippe, 2017). Consequently, the current prison population of the United States has less than 10% of the female population, implying their increase in criminal offenses, increasing the gap between the two genders.
Roles of economics, race, and labeling theory have in the society.
Economics, race, and labeling theory have played a key role in positively impacting the lives of citizens in America. If women and men have equal rights in a country, the economy is entitled to better opportunities, growing stronger and more resilient to crises. The introduction of laws through economics and the proposal of legal equality regardless of individual race leaves the national and global economies untouched. Race has played a key role in the United States by allowing individuals to work hard. Black Americans consider their race unlucky and yearn to work hard, which has left most successful in their endeavors. The economics of America has produced great firms which compete for customers (Estrada, Bäckman & Nilsson, 2016). As a result, the firms aim to produce quality goods that significantly impact the people by creating a diverse atmosphere with quality goods and services. The gender disparity in economics has been tackled by decision-making, which is not based on Gender but on wisdom.
Contextually, labeling theory mainly suggests that people’s behavior is influenced by the label attached to them by society. The label may be entitled to a critical factor conveying a more persistent criminal life course for the individuals who might just be conducting experiments with delinquent activities. Labeling theory is significant because it carries the ability to shape expectations that are set for other individuals creating explicit stereotypes. The stereotype may result in unrealistic expectations, creating poor judgment (Estrada, Bäckman & Nilsson, 2016). For instance, an Asian individual is considered to be good at math even if they are not. The theory also allows professionals to communicate with one another based on their learning characteristics.
Role of law and power in Conflict theory
From research, the conflict theory mainly assumes that the elite will set up specified systems of traditions, societal structures, and laws to support their dominance further while preventing others from competing in their ranks. According to Thomas Raiser, the primary role of law and power in conflict theory is to avoid unnecessary conflict and safeguard individuals from reacting to existing conflicts (O’Neill, 2020). Additionally, he crowns the roles by stating that power helps solve and contain conflict in all situations. For instance, the courts can solve cases arising from the government and its people.
Reflects on how law and power roles in conflict theory relate to the understanding of gender gaps
As mentioned earlier, the percentage of gender gaps has been increasing since the early 20th century. The number of males committing crimes has increased compared to women across the United States and the globe. Law and power have had a greater impact on conflict theory. From my perspective, the law does not discriminate between males and females. Everyone is equal before the law, and everything has to be taken according to the statutes of the law. I understand that women’s accountability in federal prisons in the United States is due to law and power (Phillips & Bowling, 2020). (Philippe, 2017). All the criminals have been arrested and detained because of breaking the law. Since men are more prone to crimes, their population is higher in the federal prison, fulfilling the key roles of power and law in explaining the conflict theory.
Influences that Gender based theories have had on criminology
Findings have displayed that men are prone to commit more crimes than women. The sex role theory mainly argues that the gender differences existing in crime rates mainly result from the differences in gender roles, socialization, and identities. Similarly, women have less bargaining power and are more willing to plead guilty to the original charge even though they were not guilty of it (Estrada, Bäckman & Nilsson, 2016). Gender-based theories are important in criminology because they help open up new perspectives for how individuals can understand men and women in various contexts that are not limited to their norms and gendered structures. Conclusively, the gender gap in criminal activities between men and women is reducing, with more men prone to crimes.
References
Estrada, F., Bäckman, O., & Nilsson, A. (2016). The darker side of equality? The declining gender gap in crime: Historical trends and enhanced analysis of staggered birth cohorts. British Journal of Criminology, 56(6), 1272-1290. https://academic.oup.com/bjc/article-abstract/56/6/1272/2415129
O’Neill, K. K. (2020). Adolescence, empathy, and the gender gap in delinquency. Feminist Criminology, 15(4), 410–437. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1557085120908332
Philippe, A. (2017). Gender disparities in criminal justice. https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/22892/
Phillips, C., & Bowling, B. (2020). Racism, ethnicity, crime, and criminal justice. In Crime, Inequality and the State (pp. 377–392). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003060581-30/racism-ethnicity-crime-criminal-justice-coretta-phillips-ben-bowling
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