The Effect of the Women's Movement on the Number of Female Crimes Reported

Jennifer L. Kosnick, The College of Wooster

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between the Women's Movement and the the number of crimes committed by females that are reported. It examines the role which women have traditionally played in society, relating her employment status and percentages in the workforce in particular job categories to the crimes that she has been reported of committing. This was done by analyzing secondary data, specifically labor statistics and uniform crime reports from 1960 until 1985. Results showed that there was a relation between the Women's Movement and the number of reported white collar crimes committed by women. The thesis also involved two subhypotheses, which had no direct relation to my primary hypothesis which was stated earlier. The first was that depending on one's religious views they may view the women's role in society differently. The second was that those individuals who lived in urban or rural areas and had a high level income would be more likely to have liberal views regarding women's role in society than those individuals from a low income category. Results showed that n one of the variables had any significant impact on one's v1ew o f women. Future research is suggested, focusing on the changing criminal system and definitions and categories of crimes.