Theorizing Crime and Gender in a Long-Term Perspective

Abstract

This article examined in what ways gender theory contributes to the study of crime in the early modern period (1500-1800). Crime historians have used gender concepts of social science studies in various ways. First, the concept of generalization of crime contributed to a much clearer understanding of the frequency and context of women's crime in the past. Secondly, the issue of the gender gap in crime and the study of the gender ratio offered relevant perspectives to historians. Finally, the notion of gendered institutions has been used by historians to explain prosecution patterns and the treatment of women by the courts. Conversely, historical research provides relevant insights to social scientists. Historians have shown that the gender gap in crime is not a static phenomenon; women's proportion in crime was considerably higher in the early modern period than in the modern area. Historical examinations also demonstrate the importance of the social and economic context in explaining variation and change in women's crime. The high proportion of female criminality before 1800 was due to women's socio-economic living conditions in towns. Finally, historical research demonstrates that there is no clear link between emancipation and women's high involvement in crime.