Effects of Intimate Partnerships on Women's Involvement in Crime

• In Event: Women and Crime

Abstract

Currently, strong evidence exists that, for males, living with a spouse is associated with decreased involvement in criminal behavior relative to other relationship statuses. Although it has been suggested that marriage may not function in the same manner for females, there is limited empirical support for this notion. In the current study, we use life-event calendar data collected from over 700 women in jails in three cities to look at their self-reported criminal behavior in months on the street when they were living with a spouse, cohabiting with either an opposite-sex or same-sex partner, in a dating relationship, or in no intimate relationship. Within-person models let us control for all time-stable personal characteristics. We also consider the quality of the relationship and the involvement in various leisure activities to help us understand the mechanisms of associations between intimate partner relationships and criminal involvement.

Authors

• Julie Horney, Pennsylvania State University

• Carol Newark, Pennsylvania State University