Critical Assessment

Devin L. Luxenburg
Sociology 357-01
Professor Nini
Term Paper Proposal
Total of: 246 words. Received Grade= (18/20)

Term Paper Proposal In researching my term paper proposal I came up with many different ideas. However, my main focus would be that “Gender-neutral theories cannot adequately explain female delinquency”. Why is it that they left such vital information out? Is it true that males are only deviant? What theories have been made on the assumption that juvenile females play a crucial role in delinquency as well? What kind of change is this? I believe this topic would fall under to theories Differential association theory and Theory of social bond.

I would have to say that individual, developmental, and sociological perspectives would be prevalent in my research. I believe that it would correlate with the variables of characteristics and behaviors that fall under two categories. The categories being of different genders male vs. female. When it comes to the theoretical perspective on the matter, I would say that the effect of this rise would take place under a sociological theory. The reason why is because the world has changed drastically throughout the years. More influential female speakers and representatives are taking office. I believe this rise in woman’s roles has a big effect on females becoming deviant as well. Females now, have the urge to rise up against their counterpart. Socioeconomic status is making woman more aware and therefore more deviant.

General and classical strain theory I think would mix in with my other theories. The more theories tested the better the outcome. I believe the answer lies in the individual theory within females. The understanding of how females can become delinquents I feel involves developmental theory and I believe the realization and conceptualization relies on the socioeconomic perspective. I hope to find the reasons behind gender-neutral theory and hope to come to a conclusion that finds it to be something like a gender-specified theory.
Introduction
Society must understand the issues which need to be addressed in today’s social policy and criminological-sociological theory. Women are changing the world we live in. Society today, needs to grasp that women are becoming equal to males in almost every aspect. Ego-driven males in today’s society need to come-to-terms with the change that has occurred over the years, in regarding women’s roles. The main issue that needs to be evaluated is the gender-neutral theories. We cannot assume that females don’t partake in deviant behavior; and the reasons why females commit crimes. These must be guidelines for the changing of today’s society to human welfare. Addressing these issues can help us have an enhanced understanding for human needs for education, health, and jobs. This must also mean coming up with new and improved theories for both the sociological and criminological perspectives. I realize that their can never be enough theories to consider, and that new ideas will always persist. I noticed the increase of female deviance through the past years. It’s kind of hard not to notice when you here it coming from friends, teachers, and especially the news. I found it very interesting and that is how I got involved on this particular topic. The actuality that people labeled males as being delinquents and females of being good character startled me. The fact that criminological theorists came up with the term gender-neutral was extremely bothersome, considering the term was considered for only one gender without thinking about the other female counterpart. The reason being is because they couldn’t or wouldn’t sufficiently explain female delinquency.

Statement of Position

I believe that gender-neutral theories do not sufficiently explain female delinquency. Females have different traits and characteristics which lead to delinquency. Socialization, cognitive, biological, and personality differences are what sets both genders apart. What led me to my critique was the realization of growing up and seeing change happen before my eyes. The fact that women are now more independent than ever is a vast change. Realizing that a female official can even take senate in our government makes me realize that women in general have a different look and drive than in the past. This leads me to think that female delinquents have the same drive as well and that their mindset and characteristics must be different from males. One reason why I believe this is because of paternalistic views. I feel that girls today want to be a football player or even a hockey player; they want to be equal to the male counterpart. This drive may very well mean retaliation and a sense of equality. This can explain why you see girls in gangs more often now as well. My resolution is to make people understand the vast contrast between male and female delinquency. It is important to look into this issue, because we need to address the social public to better ourselves and our understanding on juvenile delinquency amongst genders.

Critical Assessment
It is critical to understand the negative and falsely concepts of past theories and research when looking at the gender-neutral perspective and the explanation for not sufficiently explaining female delinquency. Gender neutral theories assume that females are not often deviant so they focus on the male aspects of deviance. Traditional aspects see women as being harmless in that their role is to simply look over the family and the house. Liberal Feminism states that females are less delinquent than males because their social roles provide fewer opportunities to commit crime.
Perspectives such as, power control theory, focuses on the man of the house being the main figure in the paternalistic family. It shows the mothers duty to conform the daughter. Therefore, the mother daughter relationship is a chain of domesticity making it unlikely for daughters to become deviant. The observation that females don’t commit crimes is a reflection of leniency with which police treat females different. This is known to be another falsely statement known as the Chivalry Hypothesis (Siegel, p.297). It‘s sad that even today police officers tend to be more lenient towards females then males. An old false assumption that I find is comical comes from Lombroso. He basically stated that if females were to ever become delinquent, that they would look more like a male in regards to their physical characteristics, (Siegel, p. 137). Gender-scheme theory is mistaken as well. It states that development in children internalizes gender scripts that reflect the gender- related social practices of society. Once it is embedded in them they grow up with that identity in where it stays with them (Siegel, p. 136). Social policy and criminological sociology should see the differences between the two genders, so that the public can better understand the contrast between female and male delinquency. Associating with new theories can be away of implementing the future. I hope to accomplish the distinction between the false accusations
Theory and Ideology
Most research of theories done on crime has been conducted only on both juvenile and adult males alike. Theorists need to recognize the difference in why each gender commits a crime. Females have been under looked. The three main factors that separate females from males are: cognitive, personality, and socialization differences. These are some of the social factors that turn woman towards criminal activity. This would be considered an individual theory based on criminality. In a sociological view, girls are still quite different. Girls are usually more anxious where as boys are encouraged to retaliate. Women are much more likely to have stress then men, and also tend to blame themselves for certain feelings. Women are socialized to fear that anger will harm relationships where as males react with “outrage” always blaming others.
In cognitive differences females learn to speak earlier and faster then males and are equipped with better visual skills. Personality differences for females include: finding a “meaning to life”, different ways of communicating, lower self-esteem, and are more self aware. Males however tend to have a higher self-esteem, usually have a low attention span, and are even materialistic. These characteristics present the different kind of behaviors which set them apart. Biological and hormonal factors are believed to play a significant role as well. These developmental tendencies explain the distinct gender patterns that can explain crime rate differences. In a sociological and developmental perspective girls have become as law-violating as their brothers, due to the emerged egalitarian family lifestyle. This is however an improvement from the practice of the power-control theory. Having said that, I am an advocate for the new gender-specific theory of juvenile delinquency. It is imperative that we gain knowledge to this new direction. It can only enhance our understanding of deviant behavior.
Conclusion

Historically, girls who have been to court for deviant behavior have fallen under the label of girls’ sexual behavior. The reason is that the family has control of the girls’ sexual being, it is key towards patriarchy. In addition I would evaluate and critique different theories in relation to females and males. The frame of my theoretical evaluation would consist of empirical data stemming from an equal number of both genders. To enhance my outcome I would also include variables from life course, feminist, and the traditional criminological theories. Lastly, I would pick variables from general offending and violent offending. My assumption in the offending statistics favors males being more violent then females. I realize that this could be plausible because of the fact that males tend to be more aggressive and volatile in nature. The social bond theory could possibly be another test in exploring the variables and seeing if they operate in the same manner to clarify offending across gender .The realization that many may confront my analysis is prevalent. The historical significance of gender and juvenile delinquency has obviously been stereotyped towards men for ages. The recent shift in economy and civilization is changing that stereotype. Hopefully soon we can incorporate even more knowledge of our gender-specific debate into our social policy.

References
1.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. 132-49.
2.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 297
3.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and deliquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. p.146
4.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and deliquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 136
5.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 133
Appendix B
Professor Nuno,
I had talked to you after today’s class. Here is my paper. I can scan the appendix B for you if you would like or if you want I can always bring it to you whenever it is most convenient. It is approximately 3 pages I think. I mentioned that I had it with me in class but didn’t take it. Ill just scan it to be on the safe side. Thank You! Good luck in your future classes.
Sincerely Devin P. Be’

References: 1.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. 132-49. 2.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 297 3.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and deliquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. p.146 4.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and deliquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 136 5.) Siegel, Larry J. "Gender and delinquency." Juvenile Delinquency. By Brandon C. Welsh. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth, 2008. P. 133 Appendix B Professor Nuno, I had talked to you after today’s class. Here is my paper. I can scan the appendix B for you if you would like or if you want I can always bring it to you whenever it is most convenient. It is approximately 3 pages I think. I mentioned that I had it with me in class but didn’t take it. Ill just scan it to be on the safe side. Thank You! Good luck in your future classes. Sincerely Devin P. Be’