Addressing a Divide in the Conceptualization of the Gender-Crime Relationship: A Comparative Test of Gender and Sex Using General Strain Theory

ABSTRACT

While criminology has long recognized the impact of gender on crime, many criminological theories continue to measure sex rather than socially constructed gender identities. Research has also struggled to directly compare these measures within a theoretical context. This study examines the impact of sex and gender identity variables using the framework of General Strain Theory. A total of 1,457 college students were surveyed on measures of General Strain Theory, biological sex, gender identity, and a range of deviant behaviors. Findings indicate that gender identity produced a stronger predictive model of deviance than biological sex, and suggest a means for research to account for gender when studying deviance.

KEYWORDS:

• Sex
• gender identity
• Bem Sex Role Inventory
• General Strain Theory

Notes

¹ The analysis looked at all four issues of each journal for the years 2003 and 2004; the authors do not identify any of the individual 137 articles noted in the study

² Using participants’ masculinity and femininity scores (as opposed to the four gender identity categories) enabled all 1,326 participants to be used in these analyses. A full set of model accuracy checks where preformed to confirm the appropriateness of these regressions, including checks of normality, linearity, heteroscedasticity, and multicollinearity, as well as outliers.

³ To calculate the Z value, the following formula was used:

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew J. Dolliver

Dr. MATTHEW J. DOLLIVER is an assistant professor in the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama. His research interests include experimental criminology and complex adaptive systems.

Dixie L. Rocker

DIXIE L. ROCKER, MS is a doctoral candidate in the College of Criminology at Florida State University. She holds a BA and MS in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. Her research interests include gendered criminology, race, gender, and inmate inequality.