Female desistance: A review of the literature

Abstract

To examine whether, and if so how, male-based theories of desistance also apply to female offenders, this article reviews 44 studies on female desistance. Where available, gender differences in desistance are considered. Having children and supportive relationships is found to be important for females, in addition to economic independence, the absence of drugs and individual agency. Gender differences are found for the influence of children, supportive relationships, employment and the absence of criminal peers. This review shows that male-based theories of desistance seem applicable to females as well. Furthermore, results underscore the importance of considering how individual and social factors interact during the process of desistance. Implications for future research and for strategies for promoting desistance are discussed.

Women's desistance from crime: A review of theory and the role higher education can play

“…This is despite the rather apparent central role of maternal concerns in the lives of justice-involved women (Arditti & Few, 2008;Bloom & Brown, 2011;Brown, 2012;Brown & Bloom, 2009;Enos, 2001;Giordano, Seffrin, Manning, & Longmore, 2011;McMahon, 1995). These maternal concerns potentially play a role in motivation toward desistance, but social connectedness with family and children may be marred by strains related to family violence, poverty, and the dysfunctions common to the lives of justice-involved women (Rodermond, Kruttschnitt, Slotboom, & Bijleveld, 2016).…”

Desistance from Offending in the Twenty-First Century

“…Research suggests that, in a general sense, women, like their male counterparts, reap benefits from salient life events (see Rodermond et al 2016), and black and Hispanic men experience reductions in offending with marriage (Bersani & DiPietro 2016a,b;Doherty & Ensminger 2013;Piquero et al 2002). However, one complicating factor stems from research that finds that those in compromised social positions (e.g., marginalized populations) lack access to traditional life events or that when encountered, traditional life events function to undermine desistance (Giordano 2010, Leverentz 2014, Wyse et al 2014, leaving the role of life events for these groups under question.…”

“…Several related reviews summarize the general state of research on criminal careers and desistance (Laub & Sampson 2001); correlates of desistance (Kazemian 2016, Laub et al 2018, Rocque 2017, Siennick & Osgood 2008, such as marriage (Craig et al 2014, Skardhamar et al 2015 and employment (Uggen & Wakefield 2008); turning points (Nguyen & Loughran 2018); female desistance (Rodermond et al 2016); qualitative studies of desistance (Veysey et al 2013); and desistance from specific crime types, such as sex offending (Walker et al 2013). In light of these existing reviews that cover the origins of desistance research, its correlates, and its relevance across subgroups and crime types, the purpose of this chapter is a focused review of key twenty-first-century theoretical and methodological developments on desistance.…”

The Effects of Age at Prison Release on Women’s Desistance Trajectories: a Mixed-Method Analysis

“…Contemporary female offenders who are juggling the mark of a criminal record, the responsibilities of single parenthood, and extensive substance use disorders that are linked to histories of trauma and abuse must navigate a desistance effort that also is gendered in nature [14,29,100]. For example, the supervisory effects of employment may not be known to women who are niched into temporary, transitional, and "under the table pay" part-time positions.…”