Quantitative Investigation into Gendered Pathways Theory of Female Offending

• In Event: Roundtable: Theory

Abstract

Women have historically been overlooked in criminological research, with traditional crime aetiology models often biased towards male offenders or reliant on stereotypical portrayals of women. As a result, these theories fail to account for the distinct factors influencing female offending. Gendered pathways theory addresses this gap by identifying common routes leading to criminal behaviour for women.

This study investigates five key pathways highlighted in the literature: trauma and abuse, dysfunctional relationships, mental ill-health, substance abuse, and economic marginalisation. Drawing on data gathered using the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) from the UK-based Trauma, Harm and Health with Justice-Involved Women: Validation Study, this research seeks to uncover the nuanced experiences leading women to criminal behaviour through empirical, quantitative methods.

Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in R is employed to validate existing pathways from previous research, in addition to testing original pathways developed from the literature. This is the first study to apply gendered pathways theory to a UK population of female offenders. The findings aim to inform policy related to sentencing, incarceration, and rehabilitation, and contribute to ongoing debates about whether current approaches to categorising female offenders meet their complex needs.

Author

• Jessica E. Bigford, University of Birmingham, UK