Citation

Hurwitz J, Smithey S. Polit. Res. Q. 1998; 51(1): 89-115.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Western Political Science Association, Publisher University of Utah)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite extensive documentation of the gender gap across a range of political issues, little is known about gender differences toward issues of crime and punishment. In this study, we systematically examine how, and why, women and men approach the issue of crime. We find that women are more afraid of crime and more supportive of prevention efforts than men, though fear of crime and women's policy attitudes are not related in a causal sense. These findings are consistent with differences in women's and men's socialization experiences. They have important implications for both feminist theory and the ability of the political parties to use the crime issue to their advantage.

Language: en