“Is criminology androcentric? Can general theories of crime, developed by men to explain male criminal behaviour, be applied or generalized to explain female criminality? Discuss the reasons for the disparity in crime rates between men and women.”
QUESTION 5 (DETAILED ANALYSIS)
“Is criminology androcentric? Can general theories of crime, developed by men to explain male criminal behaviour, be applied or generalized to explain female criminality? Discuss the reasons for the disparity in crime rates between men and women.”
1. Meaning of “Androcentric Criminology”
Androcentric means male-centered.
Criminology is called androcentric because:
- Most theories were developed by male criminologists,
- Based on male criminal behaviour,
- Using male crime statistics,
- Ignoring women’s experiences and motivations.
Thus, early criminology treated men as the norm and women as exceptions.
Examples:
- Lombroso studied “born criminal” males.
- Merton studied strain among men in economic pressure.
- Sutherland studied male delinquent gangs.
Women were hardly studied, so their crime patterns were misunderstood.
2. Can Male-Based Criminological Theories Explain Female Criminality?
(A) Limited Application
Most general theories can partially explain female crime but cannot fully explain it.
Why?
Because women commit crimes due to different social pressures, such as:
- domestic abuse
- economic dependency
- gender discrimination
- emotional victimization
- limited social power
(B) Examples:
1. Strain Theory (Merton) – Partially Applicable
Men experience economic/achievement strain → crime
Women face family strain, abuse, victimization, which Merton did not consider.
2. Differential Association (Sutherland) – Partly Applicable
Women also learn crime from peers and partners.
But women’s social circles are more controlled → less exposure to criminal peers.
3. Subculture Theory (Cohen) – Not Fully Applicable
Focused on young male gangs, masculinity, aggression.
Does not explain women’s involvement (which is usually non-gang-based).
4. Control Theory (Hirschi) – More relevant for women
Women are given more supervision, parental control, social monitoring → lower crime rates.
5. Feminist Criminology – Best Explanation
Developed because male theories failed to explain women’s lived realities.
3. Why Crime Rates Differ Between Men and Women?
Crime is higher among men globally. Reasons:
(A) Biological Factors
(Not dominant but sometimes discussed)
- Men have higher testosterone → higher aggression
- Women biologically more risk-averse
(B) Socialization Differences
Society teaches men:
- to be aggressive
- to take risks
- to dominate
- to prove masculinity
Women are taught:
- to be soft
- nurturing
- obedient
- relational
This shapes their criminal behaviour.
(C) Gender Role Expectations
Men are expected to:
- earn money
- compete
- show power
This creates pressures leading to:
- violence
- theft
- gang involvement
- drug dealing
Women are restricted into:
- domestic roles
- caregiving
- controlled lifestyle
So opportunities for crime reduce.
(D) Social Control and Surveillance
Women face higher informal control:
- parents monitor girls more
- society restricts their movement
- fewer late-night activities
- less time outside home
This limits criminal activity.
(E) Economic Dependency
Women often depend on:
- husbands
- fathers
- family income
Economic dependency = fewer crimes like robbery, extortion, etc.
But when women do commit crime, it is often:
- shoplifting
- prostitution
- domestic cruelty
- poisoning
(F) Victimization and Abuse
Women who commit crimes often have a background of:
- sexual abuse
- domestic violence
- psychological trauma
This explains offences like:
- killing abusive partners
- running away
- prostitution for survival
Male theories ignored these aspects.
(G) Opportunity Structure
Men have more access to:
- criminal networks
- public spaces
- illegal markets
- gangs
Women have limited access → fewer crimes.
4. Feminist Criminology: Correcting Male Bias
Feminist criminologists argued:
- Male theories ignored women
- Women’s crime must be studied separately
- Crime by women is often linked to patriarchy, gender inequality, and powerlessness
They introduced new ideas:
- Women commit crime due to survival needs
- Domestic violence contributes to crime
- Patriarchal control suppresses women’s criminal opportunities
- Female offending is shaped by gender oppression
5. Case Laws Relevant in Understanding Gender and Crime
(1) Tukaram v. State of Maharashtra (Mathura rape case)
Showed how patriarchy and bias in law enforcement affects women.
(2) State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh
Courts recognized women’s vulnerability and the need to consider psychological trauma.
(3) Lata Singh v. State of UP
Societal control on women’s behaviour is higher.
(4) Bhanwari Devi Case
Shows how societal norms restrict women’s freedom and safety.
These cases show that female crime and victimization cannot be explained by male theories alone.
6. Conclusion (Exam-Ready)
Criminology is largely androcentric because most classical and modern theories were created by men, focusing on male criminality. Such theories can only partially explain female crime because women’s motives, opportunities, and experiences are different.
Crime rates differ because of gender roles, socialization, economic dependency, control mechanisms, and patriarchal structures.
Thus, feminist criminology is essential to correctly understand female criminality.
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