Liberation and Economic Marginalization: A Reformulation and Test of (Formerly?) Competing Models

Abstract

This study reconceptualizes and tests liberation and economic marginality hypotheses as complementary explanations for female offending patterns. Both explanations are relevant in explaining female crime, but need to be reframed as interacting forces not opposing theories. It is suggested that economic marginality is in part a consequence of liberation, where the expectation of women’s independence may not be consistent with their actual social circumstances. This study also assesses the explanatory power of this model for both male and female conviction rates. Results from a pooled time series, least squares with dummy variables, cross-national analysis supports this reformulated model. Although this model is a good predictor of female conviction rates, it does not appear to be good a predictor of male conviction rates. Female conviction rates are significantly affected by male employment status, indicating that social conditions that are linked to female crime are a function of the economic and social position of both sexes.

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