1. Learning objective:
To identify/describe/explain
reasons for
gender differences in crime

2. Ruth Ellis was
hung on 13 July
1955, aged 28.
She was the last
woman to be
hanged in
England.
Maxine Carr, former girlfriend of
Soham murderer Ian Huntley. She
was freed from jail and given a new
identity, after serving 21 months for
lying for Huntley.
Rose West Myra Hindley
Convicted of 10 Moors Murderer
murders in 1995 Nursery Worker, Vanessa George was jailed
in 2009 for sexually abusing children in her
care

3. opening questions
• Identify a reason why working class people
commit more crime than middle class people.
• Give an explanation for this reason.
• Describe what is meant by white collar crime.
• Describe what is meant by corporate crime.
• Opening discussion:
• More men than women are arrested, charged
and convicted of crime.
• Why do you think this is?

4. Task 1
Green sociology textbook page 110 – 111
Using the crime statistics in chart A, identify and
summarise three major differences in crime
patterns between males and females
•
•
•

5. Task 2
• Sociological explanations for differences in
crime between males and females
• Read page 110 and make notes on the five
main reasons
• Explain what is meant by the chivalry thesis
• Explain what is meant by a ladette

6. Discuss how far sociologists would agree that males are more likely to commit crimes than females.
12 marks
Some sociologists would agree that ………………………………………………………………….whilst others disagree and think that
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
..
One reason why men appear to commit more crime is due to (write about how differences in primary socialisation
mean that girls are often brought up to be feminine and caring to prepare for their role as wife and mother, whereas
boys are brought up to be tough and aggressive in order to fulfil the masculine role).
…………………………………………..................................................................................................................................................
....
However, crime statistics may be inaccurate because (write about how males are more likely to be arrested, stopped
and searched and charged by the police and why this is and what this means. You could also write about how the role
of women is changing and they are more likely to face arrest in the ladette & binge drinking culture today).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Another reason why men appear to commit more crime than women is due to (write about how men often have more
opportunity to commit crime due to work outside the home and how they are more likely to join gangs and be allowed
more freedom by parents whereas girls face more social control).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………................
..
However, the chivalry thesis suggests that (write about how the police, courts and judges are usually men as these are
male dominated professions and they are likely to be lenient with women and give them softer sentences).
In conclusion, sociologists believe that (write a concluding sentence to show that this is an on-going debate and that
there are many reasons to consider)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

7. Discuss how far sociologists would agree that males are more likely to commit crimes than females.
12 marks
Some sociologists would agree that ………………………………………………………………….whilst others disagree and think that
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
..
One reason why men appear to commit more crime is due to (write about how differences in primary socialisation
mean that girls are often brought up to be feminine and caring to prepare for their role as wife and mother, whereas
boys are brought up to be tough and aggressive in order to fulfil the masculine role).
…………………………………………..................................................................................................................................................
....
However, crime statistics may be inaccurate because (write about how males are more likely to be arrested, stopped
and searched and charged by the police and why this is and what this means. You could also write about how the role
of women is changing and they are more likely to face arrest in the ladette & binge drinking culture today).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Another reason why men appear to commit more crime than women is due to (write about how men often have more
opportunity to commit crime due to work outside the home and how they are more likely to join gangs and be allowed
more freedom by parents whereas girls face more social control).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………................
..
However, the chivalry thesis suggests that (write about how the police, courts and judges are usually men as these are
male dominated professions and they are likely to be lenient with women and give them softer sentences).
In conclusion, sociologists believe that (write a concluding sentence to show that this is an on-going debate and that
there are many reasons to consider)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..