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Male And Female Offenders Similarities

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The patterns and rates of offending between males and females have several similarities, as well as, differences. The nature of the offences is also varied and the level of penalty is also different. While it can be considered that both males and females equally engage in minor offences and abuse of substances, the rates for men are higher than that of women. This paper will discuss the differences and similarities that exist in the United Kingdom. To begin, there are numerous differences that can be cited between female offending and male offending. Generally, studies show that women tend to engage in crime less often than their male counterparts. It is shown that men are more predisposed to committing a crime than women (Coid, Petruckevitch, …show more content…

Based on the fact that men are more likely than women to commit crimes, the population of men in prisons is much higher than that of women (Moffitt, 2001). However, that notwithstanding, the female population in UK prisons has doubled between the year 1995 and the year 2013. In the year 1995, the population of women prisoners was 1979 and by the year 2013, the number had risen to 3893. Additionally, since most women offenders are incarcerated, as a result of, less serious crimes than men, they normally have shorter sentences than the male counterparts (Hanson& Thornton, 2000). Considering the UK, only 4.6% of the population of inmates was women in the year 2013. This, therefore, is also the main reason why there are very few women prisons. With regard to men, there are several prisons as they form a large part of the prison population (Bennett, Farrington & Huesmann, 2005). Within the criminal justice system, the women are also treated better than the men. This is majorly, as a result, of the chivalrous attitude adopted towards women who have been arrested. It is considered that women who conform to the gender roles end up being treated better than women who opt not to. However, this option is not available for men as there are no chivalrous considerations (Sutton & Farrall, …show more content…

To begin with, considering the representation in both cases, the minority and the blacks are highly represented. This is a trait that is common to both the female and male offenders. There are also several characteristics that the offenders possess that is similar in both instances. First most offenders, both male and female are extremely poor. Poverty is considered one of the major driving factors for the commission of a crime. Most of the offenders in prison, both male and female, have alcohol and drug use problems. a large number also suffers from mental problems (Fergusson & Horwood, 2002). There are also high incidences of physical abuse, sexual abuse, as well as, emotional abuse. Both offenders are proactively involved in the commission of such minor crimes as substance abuse and minor abuse of

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