Compare and contrast the chivalry hypothesis and the gender role hypothesis. How is each hypothesis used to explain different offending patterns between males and females? What is society’s role in perpetuating both of these hypotheses?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The chivalry hypothesis refers to the possibility that females and males are treated differently by criminal justice officials, and this differential treatment may, in fact, insulate females from future offending. For example, it has been argued that female delinquents are treated more leniently than males by the police, and this lenient treatment may reduce the negative consequences of being labeled an offender.
The gender role hypothesis involves the expected norms of girls and boys. Boys are expected to adhere to one set of norms, while girls are taught a different set of norms. Boys are expected to be active, independent, and strong. Females are typically socialized to be passive, dependent, and nurturing. Males are socialized to use power and violence in certain situations, while females are socialized to avoid violence. Adherence to these norms is used as a potential explanation for gender differences in crime.
Both of these hypotheses involve societal treatment of different genders to explain the gender differences in crime.