Strain Theory
Earlier in this chapter, we looked at the contributions of
Robert Agnew to the development of strain theory as an
explanation of delinquency and crime in general. Agnew
also used his approach to examine gender and crime. He
looked at the issue of why crime rates are higher among
boys and men than among girls and women. He concluded
that the explanation does not lie in greater strains among
men and boys than among women and girls but, rather, in
that the genders encounter different types of strains. They
are socialized differently, and that creates different types of
strain. The differences in sex-role socialization, said Agnew,
also explain the differences in types of crimes (as well as the
differences in the emotional reactions of the genders to
crime). For example, the greater socialization of men and
boys toward material success explains their greater rate of
property crimes. The socialization of girls and women
places a greater emphasis on social control and restriction
of criminal opportunities. According to Agnew,
It is difficult to engage in serious violent and property
crime when one spends little time in public, feels
responsible for children and others, is burdened with
the demands of others, and is under much pressure to
avoid behaving in an aggressive manner.200