Abstract
The most universal finding in criminal justice is that, across time and space, males offend at significantly greater rates than females. Although this “gender-gap” has begun to close somewhat, the differences remain stark. Understanding why females offend has been a challenge. Most criminological theories are considered “malestream” theories as they were originally developed and tested on male populations, and their applicability to explaining why women offend can be limited. Research suggests that while male and female offenders do not totally differ in what explains their offending, the gendered lives that individuals live can play a part in understanding offending behavior. Among women, histories of trauma and victimization often underpin offending behavior. Special consideration of these experiences is necessary for effectively counsel female offenders. Feminist counselors focus on these gender dynamics and how they may impact both clients as well as the client-counselor relationship using techniques that help women examine their own perspectives of traditional gender roles and empower them to take control of their lives.
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Walsh, A., Wells, J., Gann, S.M. (2020). The Female Offender. In: Correctional Assessment, Casework, and Counseling. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55226-8_19
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