Explaining the Gender Gap in Delinquency: Peer Influence and Moral Evaluations of Behavior

Abstract

Gender is one of the strongest correlates of delinquent behavior, but gender differences in delinquency have proven difficult to explain. Some analysts have called for gender-specific theories of delinquency, whereas others argue that males and females are differentially exposed to or differentially affected by the same criminogenic conditions. Building on the latter approach, this article draws on Sutherland's theory of differential association and Gilligan's theory of moral development to argue that males and females are differentially affected by exposure to delinquent peers. Analysis of data from the National Youth Survey supports the hypothesis that moral evaluations act as a barrier to reduce or counteract the influence of delinquent peers among females, thereby producing large observed sex differences in delinquent behavior.

Adolescent Susceptibility to Deviant Peer Pressure: Does Gender Matter?

“…In addition to the aforementioned explanation that adolescent males are more susceptible to deviant pressure as a consequence of gender socialization processes or as a means for better aligning with the masculine ideal, there is evidence to suggest that adolescent males are more prone to risk-taking than females because their social environments afford them more opportunities, such as more access to delinquent peers (Mears et al 1998) and less adult supervision (Boyer and Byrnes 2009). For example, Boyer and Byrnes (2009) assessed the frequency of different types of risk-taking opportunities, such as being at a party with alcohol, and found that adolescent males engaged in more risk-taking behaviors in part because they reported more situational opportunities for deviance than females.…”

“…For example, Boyer and Byrnes (2009) assessed the frequency of different types of risk-taking opportunities, such as being at a party with alcohol, and found that adolescent males engaged in more risk-taking behaviors in part because they reported more situational opportunities for deviance than females. To the degree that males report having more deviant peers than females (Dishion et al 1996;Mears et al 1998), they may simply have more social opportunities to experience deviant peer influence, rather than being more susceptible to deviant peer influence than females.…”

“…For example, one study found that midadolescent males are more likely to engage in (hypothetical) delinquent behavior regardless of perceived consequences than females, whereas females display more temperance and perspective, indicators of more advanced psychosocial maturity (Cauffman and Steinberg 2000). Relative to adolescent males, adolescent females' social competence (Allen et al 2006;Rose and Rudolph 2006) and socialization differences in their moral development (Gilligan 1982;Mears et al 1998) may also provide a greater buffer against deviant peer influences. For example, although youth's moral considerations (i.e., evaluating how right or wrong deviant behaviors are) of delinquent behaviors reduces susceptibility to deviant peers for both adolescent males and females, males are still more susceptible to deviant peers even if their own disapproval of delinquent behavior is strong (Mears et al 1998).…”

“…Relative to adolescent males, adolescent females' social competence (Allen et al 2006;Rose and Rudolph 2006) and socialization differences in their moral development (Gilligan 1982;Mears et al 1998) may also provide a greater buffer against deviant peer influences. For example, although youth's moral considerations (i.e., evaluating how right or wrong deviant behaviors are) of delinquent behaviors reduces susceptibility to deviant peers for both adolescent males and females, males are still more susceptible to deviant peers even if their own disapproval of delinquent behavior is strong (Mears et al 1998). On the other hand, if females strongly disapprove of delinquent behaviors, the effect of delinquent peers is not significantly different than zero.…”

“…Developmentally, peer reference groups become increasingly salient during adolescence, and most risk-taking behaviors occur within the peer context (Crosnoe and McNeely 2008). Although some studies suggest that adolescent males engage in more of some types of risk-taking behaviors (i.e., substance use and delinquency; Erickson et al 2000) and have more deviant peer affiliations than females (Mears et al 1998;Svensson 2003), it remains unclear "whether the social processes [emphasis added] leading to these outcomes also differ by gender" (Erickson et al 2000, p. 402).…”