Social Deviance Research: Gender And Delinquency (Essay Sample)

Name
Institution
Course
Date
Social Deviance: Gender and delinquency
Gender and delinquency have been studied for quite some time now and there seems to be an association between the two. This association is best brought forward through the power control theory. As per this theory, distribution of delinquency across gender stems from stratification of gender relations in the family (Bates, Bader, and Mencken 170). The family structure, gender, and class collectively and individually shape parental or social control exercised, and this consequently sets the accepted norms for kids under that control which in turn shapes’ the kids’ level of delinquency (Bates, Bader, and Mencken 171). In essence, this theory attempts to describe how gender differences contributes to differences in the rates of delinquency based on the parental or social control exhibited (Bates, Bader, and Mencken 171). This paper evaluates differences in gender and delinquency in the present times through the lenses of the power control theory.
Bates, Bader, and Mencken argue that the pioneers of the power control theory sought to combine class and control theories of deviance to explain the effects if familial control on gender differences in crime (172). It has been shown that parental positions in the workforce have an impact on patriarchal attitudes in the household. In turn, those patriarchal attitudes contribute to different levels of controls that are placed on boys and girls in those households (Bates, Bader and Mencken 172). On top of that, different levels of control shape the likelihood of the children taking risks and ultimately engaging in deviance. On that note, as a result of greater levels of control placed on girls in patriarchal households, there tends to be significant gender differences in delinquency in such households in that, boys become more delinquent than girls (Bates, Bader and Mencken 174).
The power control theory is anchored on the assumption that mothers form the basis of socialization in any given family (Bates, Bader and Mencken 172). In other words, in balanced households where the father and mother tend to have the same level of control, mothers will be less likely to differentially exert control upon their daughters. For that matter, in such households, both sons and daughters will have similar levels of control placed upon them, leading them to develop similar attitudes regarding the risks and benefits of taking part in deviant behavior. On this note, Bates, Bader, and Mencken argue balanced families tend to have fewer gender differences in deviant behavior (175). Secondly, those who believe in this theory believe that in households where there is a significant difference between mothers and fathers in the levels of power in the workplace, such families have patriarchal attitudes towards gender roles. In these families, parents place greater gender roles on daughters than sons (Bates, Bader and Mencken 178). Following this development, girls tend to develop unfavorable attitudes towards deviance. They perceive higher levels of risks than benefits for engaging in deviant behaviors. On the other hand, in such families, male kids are more likely to engage in deviant behavior than their sisters (Bates, Bader and Mencken 178).
Similarly, Eitle, Niedrist, and McNulty (2014) indicate that gender is a strong linking factor between delinquent behavior and crime. However, with some exceptions, boys have a higher tendency than girls to portray delinquency. Previous studies have been instrumental in pointing out the gender gap that exists in criminal activities and delinquency. That is why the power control theory was invented; it sought to provide an explanation for that gap. Most of the efforts of proponents of this theory have been on the effect of stratification of work that is linked to social control tenets. An emerging issue has been the application of this theory to ethnic and racial minorities (Eitle, Niedrist, and McNulty 1023). In other words, the theory does not provide a succinct explanation on the delinquency differences among racial and ethnic minority groups. However, on a positive note, initial tests of power control theory have noted that crime-based gender differences stem from the fact that girls are differentially controlled in the household (Hagan 137). On that note, it is logical to note that female delinquency increases or decreases on the account of the level of patriarchal, and therefore, control in the household (Eitle, Niedrist and McNulty 1025).
Furthermore, it has been shown that in less than patriarchal families, control is placed more on sons than daughters and that is why they have low levels of delinquency (Blackwell 439). It should be noted that most tests of this theory have managed to show why there are gender differences in deviancy on the basis of gender. Moreover, the family structure has been found to have an effect on deviancy and delinquency development and can be used to explain the gender gaps that exist in those cases (Blackwell 440). Families can be made up of biological father and mother, single mother, single father, or may have a step father or mother. In cases where one parent is not biological, and in the cases of single mother/father, it has been shown that such a family structure has effect gender-based delinquencies (Blackwell 442). A number of studies have found an association between family structure, patriarchy and gender differences in delinquency (Grasky and Meyer 385). Family structure has an effect on the levels of power in households and the level and type of control exerted upon juvenile...