White-collar crime is a common occurrence especially in the current world in almost all parts of the world even though it has not been in use for a long time. The word was invented by Edwin H. Sutherland an American criminologist while giving his speech in a meeting of the American Sociological Society. Sutherland explained that there is a difference between crimes committed by people of high social status and people of low social status. The same idea is identified in his definition for the same since he defines white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of high respectability and a person of high social status in the course of his occupation” (Benson & Simpson, 2009 pp. 5). Further studies explain that the definition excludes all upper-class crimes that are not committed in course of someone’s occupation. Gender plays a big role since the number of women committing such crimes is different from the number of men. In that case, this paper discusses factors that contribute to gender disparity in white-collar crimes.
Various studies which have been conducted in the field of criminology indicate that men commit more crimes than women. Nevertheless, the very recent research findings indicate that the gender gap has been reducing due to various factors such as economic hardships which are affecting both men and women. Opportunity may not be the only reason that leads to the disparity but it is a significant factor. According to the studies of Friedrichs (2009), women represent twenty to twenty-five percent of the total arrests. They are overrepresented in frauds of the low level while they are underrepresented in the frauds of the high level. Therefore, lack of opportunity plays a very big role in the same.
As much as research has indicated that the gap between male offenders and female offenders in white-collar crime is reducing, there is still some disparity that can be noted. Therefore, there are many factors that can contribute to the same apart from the economic hardships.
Studies of Benson & Simpson, (2009) indicate that there is a difference in the way through which men and women view crime opportunities. More to that, women may commit fewer crimes due to their values which include integrity and self-control. Nevertheless, such a claim is still contentious especially due to the fact that as highlighted earlier, it has been noted that the gap becomes narrower as the number of women in positions of power continues to increase.
Although studying white-collar crimes is a dynamic and complicated issue, it is clear that there exists gender disparity among the offenders as is the case with other types of crimes. Various factors may cause the disparity although some are very controversial. Lack of opportunity is a prime factor as until recently; women have been underrepresented in high-profile careers that are more prone to white-collar crimes. In addition, white-collar jobs are structured in such a way that women are more scrutinized not to mention that studies of Benson & Simpson (2009), illustrate that they are more victimized in case they commit such crimes. Most importantly, is necessary to understand that there are a lot of differences between men and women contributed by different modes of socialization and as a result, a disparity has to exist not only in white-collar crimes but also in other issues in society.
References
Benson, M. L. & Simpson, S. S. (2009). White-collar crime: an opportunity perspective. New York : Taylor & Francis.
Friedrichs, D. O. ( 2009). Trusted Criminals: White Collar Crime in Contemporary Society. Stamford : Cengage Learning.