What are the varying explanations of men’s involvement in criminal activity? Savian Campbell University of Trinidad and Tobago CRIM2004 Gender and Crime Abstract This research paper is intended to analyse the various explanations for men’s involvement in criminal activity using a gendered approach. It looks at the masculinity of crime and seeks to answer the burning question that has been ignored for years (what is it about men that causes them to commit crime?) The notion of masculinity and the typical characteristics which are associated with it are discussed and a linkage between masculinity and crime is made. The four major perspective that connects masculinity and crime are discussed, the first being sex role theory. This theory explains the ways in which social expectations actions and behaviours reflect stereotypical assumptions about behavioural expectations. (Walklate 1995). The second approach discussed is categorical theory. This theory refers to a range of theoretical perspectives, emanating primarily …show more content…
The nurturing role in the domestic context identified as being good, causes boys to be unsure as to how to be good yet not be feminine. The resultant anxiety of this conflict is resolved in ‘street gang’. The street gang provides avenues and motivation for delinquent behaviour and gives young men an opportunity to express themselves as young men. Sex role theory has been criticized for being inadequate for understanding the power and economic dimensions in gender and for ignoring gay men. Sex role theory also has very little to say about the effects of race and ethnicity on gender roles. In spite of this it does very well to explain the gender gap in