Current Events > Why is there such a disproportionate gender gap in incarceration rates?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Was always curious about this, why is it that there are vastly more men being incarcerated compared women? Im not sure if this is sexist but does testosterone and biological reasons play more of a role in it than sociocultural reasons?

For anyone curious about the incarnation rate amongst men and women:


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Women carry purses. Guys don't. It's easy to hide your drugs or your knife in your purse, and cops don't want to seem sexist so they won't search purses.

If guys started carrying purses and they weren't searched, these rates would equalize overnight

Men commit more crimes

Kazi1212 posted...

Im not sure if this is sexist but does testosterone and biological reasons play more of a role in it than sociocultural reasons?

I think the latter incorporates the former.
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Because you touch yourself at night.
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Irregardless posted...

Men commit more crimes

Yes, thats why the incarceration is higher. I apologize if I didnt phrase properly, but basically what Im asking is why men seem to commit more crimes by a vastly staggering amount.
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Less social safety nets for men, sexism/misandry in the law and court sentencing, societal pressures to be a provider/protector.
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Anteaterking posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

Im not sure if this is sexist but does testosterone and biological reasons play more of a role in it than sociocultural reasons?

I think the latter incorporates the former.

Doesnt biology incorporate some sociocultural phenomena as well? Like, obviously biology doesnt incorporate cultural phenomena like why men like cars and women like purses. But something like the phenomena of our complex morality systems across cultures seems to have essential components grounded in biology. So I guess what Im wondering is which category gender falls under as a phenomena and whether that may account for the gender gap regarding crime.
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Testosterone is a hell of a drug.
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Esrac posted...

Testosterone is a hell of a drug.

But does that mean it accounts for the absurd 10:1 disparity in incarceration rates between the genders?
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Women can get by on looks but men don't exactly get that luxury

Kazi1212 posted...

Esrac posted...

Testosterone is a hell of a drug.

But does that mean it accounts for the absurd 10:1 disparity in incarceration rates between the genders?

Possibly, but also possibly disparity in conviction rates contribute like the known disparity in sentencing.
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Women have testosterone too.

If you want to get your mind really blown, look at the data broken down by race. Black women have the lowest prison sentences of any women, including white women. Out of all groups in most cases black women go to prison less often and for less time.

There have been periods in the data that show that Hispanic men get lesser sentences than white men, too.

In any case, the answer to the original question is a combination of men doing more crimes and also sexism. For the same nonviolent crime (and even violent ones) women get preferential treatment in sentencing. The system is against men in almost all cases.
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COVxy posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

Esrac posted...

Testosterone is a hell of a drug.

But does that mean it accounts for the absurd 10:1 disparity in incarceration rates between the genders?

Possibly, but also possibly disparity in conviction rates contribute like the known disparity in sentencing.

Can you elaborate a bit? I think I get what youre saying, like theres a disparity in sentencing along racial and socioeconomic lines, so theres possibly a disparity due to prejudice as to why men have such higher conviction rates?
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FLUFFYGERM posted...

If you want to get your mind really blown, look at the data broken down by race. Black women have the lowest prison sentences of any women, including white women. Out of all groups in most cases black women go to prison less often and for less time.

Wow, that really is a mind blowing piece of data
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This topic is funny. Not the topic necessarily, but some of the responses.
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FLUFFYGERM posted...

If you want to get your mind really blown, look at the data broken down by race. Black women have the lowest prison sentences of any women, including white women. Out of all groups in most cases black women go to prison less often and for less time.

There have been periods in the data that show that Hispanic men get lesser sentences than white men, too.

In any case, the answer to the original question is a combination of men doing more crimes and also sexism. For the same nonviolent crime (and even violent ones) women get preferential treatment in sentencing. The system is against men in almost all cases.

Bingo.
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Kazi1212 posted...

COVxy posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

Esrac posted...

Testosterone is a hell of a drug.

But does that mean it accounts for the absurd 10:1 disparity in incarceration rates between the genders?

Possibly, but also possibly disparity in conviction rates contribute like the known disparity in sentencing.

Can you elaborate a bit? I think I get what youre saying, like theres a disparity in sentencing along racial and socioeconomic lines, so theres possibly a disparity due to prejudice as to why men have such higher conviction rates?

What he is saying is that when the case goes to trial, men are more likely to be convicted than women, more likely to see jail time than women, and overall receive harsher sentences.
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Forgettable posted...

We need to incarcerate more women. For equality.

Damn it. I wanted to post this joke.

You can dive in and read all the data over various periods here:

https://www.ussc.gov/research/research-reports/demographic-differences-sentencing

That way you don't have to just rely on me saying it lol.

One of the far-left usual suspects tried to use that data to show that there's discrimination against black people in sentencing...when in reality it's a lot more nuanced than that. Black women are overwhelmingly favored in sentencing, etc.
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ImmatureContent posted...

This topic is funny. Not the topic necessarily, but some of the responses.

Strong post to username ratio :p
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Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

As for what drives them to act violently, I feel society plays more of a role than anything inherent. They grow up seeing male heroes commiting violence in movies, sports violence, army glorification, rap culture - theres an endless stream of media telling us all that the men we should look up to typically carry a gun and / or just need to beat on people sometimes, and society celebrates this. So when a young man feels frustrated because he lacks social status or someone has something he wants, whats going to be in his mind? Violence. And if he doesnt have strong connections to his community, no job, or few law-abiding friends and family members, theres very little incentive to follow the rules.

Women, on the other hand, are indoctrinated by the media to be crowd-pleasers, looking pretty and being seen with other beautiful people. Theyre told their power comes from having a big social circle, looking good, and caring for others. Even the powerful feminist heroes who may commit violent acts do it to protect themselves or others, not for power or personal gain. So when women want something or seek power, and lack positive connections to their community, they shoplift or stalk or hurt people socially, crimes which typically dont lead to incarceration. Or they go have a kid, because the status of mother gives them some power.

Women who end up in prison are often there because theyve killed an abusive partner, which interestingly follows that media depiction of women commiting violence to protect. Men, on the other hand, kill because they were denied something they wanted. Thats the key difference in thinking, thats socialized and not inherent, which is contributing to the difference in incarceration rates. Women are taught that they cant have everything they want and there will always be some degree of suffering in their lives. Men are taught that everything is theirs for the taking if theyre tough enough.

renasunflash posted...

Translation: "Even though women get favorable treatment, they are actually the victims here."
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Irregardless posted...

Men commit more crimes

How dare you

Kazi1212 posted...

ImmatureContent posted...

This topic is funny. Not the topic necessarily, but some of the responses.

Strong post to username ratio :p

I wasn't actually being all that immature this time. I could try harder in the future.
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Irregardless posted...

Men commit more crimes

Nah son. Women be shop lifting hella shit from the teenage years on.
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renasunflash posted...

Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

But most crimes committed arent violent in nature like assault or rape. Im not sure if the rest of your post hold much water given it was predicated on the idea that most men convicted of crime is because of violent crime.


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Men need to earn

By. Any. Means. Necessary.
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we should keep in mind that at least half of those male incarcerations are from false accusations of rape
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renasunflash posted...

Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

As for what drives them to act violently, I feel society plays more of a role than anything inherent. They grow up seeing male heroes commiting violence in movies, sports violence, army glorification, rap culture - theres an endless stream of media telling us all that the men we should look up to typically carry a gun and / or just need to beat on people sometimes, and society celebrates this. So when a young man feels frustrated because he lacks social status or someone has something he wants, whats going to be in his mind? Violence. And if he doesnt have strong connections to his community, no job, or few law-abiding friends and family members, theres very little incentive to follow the rules.

Women, on the other hand, are indoctrinated by the media to be crowd-pleasers, looking pretty and being seen with other beautiful people. Theyre told their power comes from having a big social circle, looking good, and caring for others. Even the powerful feminist heroes who may commit violent acts do it to protect themselves or others, not for power or personal gain. So when women want something or seek power, and lack positive connections to their community, they shoplift or stalk or hurt people socially, crimes which typically dont lead to incarceration. Or they go have a kid, because the status of mother gives them some power.

Women who end up in prison are often there because theyve killed an abusive partner, which interestingly follows that media depiction of women commiting violence to protect. Men, on the other hand, kill because they were denied something they wanted. Thats the key difference in thinking, thats socialized and not inherent, which is contributing to the difference in incarceration rates. Women are taught that they cant have everything they want and there will always be some degree of suffering in their lives. Men are taught that everything is theirs for the taking if theyre tough enough.

If the disparity is primarily socially constructed, can you think of any culture or ethnic group in which women are the primary demographic committing crime?

Surely, if it were mostly media, then there would be a few or even one society that did it in a way that resulted in women making up the majority of criminals?

Also, its bullshit to suggest that men are taught that anything can be theirs. If anything, its girls who get a ton you "you can do and be anything" messaging in the media.

But I can't think of a single one. No, this difference in behavior is probably driven by biological differences in behavioral tendencies. And those differences are reflected in the media that's created. We don't have violent boys and men because we have violent heroes, we have violent heroes because boys and men tend to like violence.
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Kazi1212 posted...

renasunflash posted...

Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

But most crimes committed arent violent in nature like assault or rape. Im not sure if the rest of your post hold much water given it was predicated on the idea that most men convicted of crime is because of violent crime.

Kazi1212 posted...

renasunflash posted...

Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

But most crimes committed arent violent in nature like assault or rape. Im not sure if the rest of your post hold much water given it was predicated on the idea that most men convicted of crime is because of violent crime.

I think men's greater tendency to engage in risk-taking behavior has more to do with crime than just their higher tendency for physical and sexual aggression. Though those would play a part in various forms of physical and sexual assaults and homicide.
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Esrac posted...

renasunflash posted...

Men are more likely to commit violent crimes and therefore more likely to be incarcerated.

As for what drives them to act violently, I feel society plays more of a role than anything inherent. They grow up seeing male heroes commiting violence in movies, sports violence, army glorification, rap culture - theres an endless stream of media telling us all that the men we should look up to typically carry a gun and / or just need to beat on people sometimes, and society celebrates this. So when a young man feels frustrated because he lacks social status or someone has something he wants, whats going to be in his mind? Violence. And if he doesnt have strong connections to his community, no job, or few law-abiding friends and family members, theres very little incentive to follow the rules.

Women, on the other hand, are indoctrinated by the media to be crowd-pleasers, looking pretty and being seen with other beautiful people. Theyre told their power comes from having a big social circle, looking good, and caring for others. Even the powerful feminist heroes who may commit violent acts do it to protect themselves or others, not for power or personal gain. So when women want something or seek power, and lack positive connections to their community, they shoplift or stalk or hurt people socially, crimes which typically dont lead to incarceration. Or they go have a kid, because the status of mother gives them some power.

Women who end up in prison are often there because theyve killed an abusive partner, which interestingly follows that media depiction of women commiting violence to protect. Men, on the other hand, kill because they were denied something they wanted. Thats the key difference in thinking, thats socialized and not inherent, which is contributing to the difference in incarceration rates. Women are taught that they cant have everything they want and there will always be some degree of suffering in their lives. Men are taught that everything is theirs for the taking if theyre tough enough.

If the disparity is primarily socially constructed, can you think of any culture or ethnic group in which women are the primary demographic committing crime?

Surely, if it were mostly media, then there would be a few or even one society that did it in a way that resulted in women making up the majority of criminals?

Also, its bullshit to suggest that men are taught that anything can be theirs. If anything, its girls who get a ton you "you can do and be anything" messaging in the media.

But I can't think of a single one. No, this difference in behavior is probably driven by biological differences in behavioral tendencies. And those differences are reflected in the media that's created. We don't have violent boys and men because we have violent heroes, we have violent heroes because boys and men tend to like violence.

Very well said. Though Ill say even if we agree to his assumption that its more about culture, then it can also be argued that culturally we have gender roles for men that expects them to earn and provide regardless of the cost, hence why most crimes are larceny-theft.
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Kazi1212 posted...

Doesnt biology incorporate some sociocultural phenomena as well? Like, obviously biology doesnt incorporate cultural phenomena like why men like cars and women like purses. But something like the phenomena of our complex morality systems across cultures seems to have essential components grounded in biology. So I guess what Im wondering is which category gender falls under as a phenomena and whether that may account for the gender gap regarding crime.

I think that's more an example of sociocultural phenomena incorporating biology rather than vice versa.
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It's 100% because of sexism.
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Because men are breadwinners and the majority of crimes are an attempt at breadwinning. The rest are super aggression which is also a more manly trait. Also most crimes are in some form or fashion, physically overpowering the victim, which men are taught to do and naturally do and women usually can't do so it doesn't occur to them.
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Because crimes are not committed equally across all groups