In an effort to understand the causes of crime, researchers have discovered certain crime patterns, linked to age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Out of these four categories, gender is the strongest indicator of future criminal behavior – for all societies and even for most categories of crime (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012, par. 1). The present paper aims to examine the links between gender and crime through an analysis of a sexual assault case.
Several differences set the male and female offending patterns apart. Typically, women are arrested less frequently for almost every crime category, with the exception of prostitution, and they usually represent less than 20 percent of arrests (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012, par. 9). They are generally guilty of petty property and financial crimes such as larceny, fraud, embezzlement, and theft (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012, par. 11). At the same time, women are far less likely to be involved in serious physical crimes such as homicide (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012, par. 10). Even if they do engage in acts of violence, they cause fewer and less severe injuries (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012, par. 14). Lower crime rates among females sparked considerable interest among researchers who developed a gendered approach to criminology. They have come to believe that five notable differences between the lifestyles of men and women may explain this crime gender gap: moral development, social control, gender norms, physical strength, and sexuality (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012).
The case that was selected for this paper refers to an infamous gang rape and murder of two teenage girls that took place in Houston in 1993 (Cantu v. State, n.d.). The girls took a shortcut to return home from a party when they encountered a local gang. The men captured the girls and repeatedly raped them. Upon the realization that the girls could identify their perpetrators, the gang leader Peter Cantu ordered them to be killed, and the men also stole the girls’ belongings to divide them later. Peter Cantu received charges of robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault, for which he was sentenced to death. Even though Cantu attempted to appeal his punishment, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the judgment (Cantu v. State, n.d.).
The gendered approach to criminology reveals several insights into this case. Obviously, the present crime can, to a large extent, be explained by the perpetrators’ gang membership and thus, a greater propensity toward crime. Apart from that, differences in human sexuality help explain the motives as men are much more likely to be the perpetrators in sexual assault crimes. They also typically exhibit greater physical strength that makes it easier for them to cause harm to their victims, and one’s ability to successfully commit a crime (in this case, overpower the victim) provides stronger motivation to commit it. Apart from the physical traits, sociocultural factors also come into play as risk-taking behavior is typically encouraged in boys. Men are thus willing to take certain risks, especially if it enhances their status within the group (Steffensmeier & Allan, 2012). To sum up, a combination of biological and sociocultural characteristics of men can explain their greater propensity toward rape, including the present case.
Identification of crime patterns is a valuable tool to guide criminologists as it helps them understand and analyze the underlying causes of violent behavior. Consequently, they can develop and implement measures to address these specific issues and reduce the rates of crime and violence in the society.
References
Cantu v. State. (n.d.). Web.
Steffensmeier, D., & Allan, E. (2012). Gender and crime. Web.