, CMY2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
DUE DATE: 2026
Semester 2 Assignment 1:
1. Explain the reasons why men commit more crimes than women do. (10 marks)
The disparity in crime rates between men and women—often referred to as the gender gap
in offending—is one of the most consistent and well-documented findings in the field of
criminology (Smith, 2014; Steffensmeier & Allan, 1996). Globally and historically, official
arrest statistics, self-report data, and victimization surveys all confirm that males commit
significantly more criminal acts than females, particularly concerning violent and serious
property crimes (Rowe, Vazsonyi, & Flannery, 1995). To explain why men exhibit a much
higher propensity for criminal behavior, criminologists, sociologists, and psychologists look
to a combination of social, structural, behavioral, and biological frameworks.
Gender Socialization and Sex Role Theory
One of the primary sociological explanations for the gender gap is how males and females
are socialized from early childhood. Sex Role Theory suggests that traditional expectations
of masculinity encourage behaviors that closely align with delinquency, whereas traditional
feminine expectations actively inhibit them (Heimer & De Coster, 1999). Boys are frequently
socialized to be competitive, physically strong, aggressive, and risk-tolerant (Shover et al.,
1979). In many subcultures, establishing status or defending one’s honor involves physical
toughness and dominance (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). When young men internalize
these traits, violence or rule-breaking can become a vehicle to perform masculinity and
earn peer respect (Schrock & Schwalbe, 2009). Conversely, girls are traditionally socialized
to be nurturing, compliant, emotionally expressive, and risk-averse, which are traits that are
highly protective against anti-social or criminal behaviors (Artz, Nicholson, & Magnuson,
2008).
DUE DATE: 2026
Semester 2 Assignment 1:
1. Explain the reasons why men commit more crimes than women do. (10 marks)
The disparity in crime rates between men and women—often referred to as the gender gap
in offending—is one of the most consistent and well-documented findings in the field of
criminology (Smith, 2014; Steffensmeier & Allan, 1996). Globally and historically, official
arrest statistics, self-report data, and victimization surveys all confirm that males commit
significantly more criminal acts than females, particularly concerning violent and serious
property crimes (Rowe, Vazsonyi, & Flannery, 1995). To explain why men exhibit a much
higher propensity for criminal behavior, criminologists, sociologists, and psychologists look
to a combination of social, structural, behavioral, and biological frameworks.
Gender Socialization and Sex Role Theory
One of the primary sociological explanations for the gender gap is how males and females
are socialized from early childhood. Sex Role Theory suggests that traditional expectations
of masculinity encourage behaviors that closely align with delinquency, whereas traditional
feminine expectations actively inhibit them (Heimer & De Coster, 1999). Boys are frequently
socialized to be competitive, physically strong, aggressive, and risk-tolerant (Shover et al.,
1979). In many subcultures, establishing status or defending one’s honor involves physical
toughness and dominance (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). When young men internalize
these traits, violence or rule-breaking can become a vehicle to perform masculinity and
earn peer respect (Schrock & Schwalbe, 2009). Conversely, girls are traditionally socialized
to be nurturing, compliant, emotionally expressive, and risk-averse, which are traits that are
highly protective against anti-social or criminal behaviors (Artz, Nicholson, & Magnuson,
2008).
