What does Pollak’s view suggest about the portrayal of women in crime statistics?

What does Pollak’s view suggest about the portrayal of women in crime statistics?

• A. They create an accurate picture of women's criminality
• B. They exaggerate the differences in crime between genders
• C. They underestimate the number of women offenders
• D. They reflect societal biases against male offenses

Answer: (B)

Pollak’s view suggests that crime statistics tend to underestimate women's involvement in criminal activity. He argued that women are treated leniently by the justice system and that their offenses are often hidden or not reported due to societal norms and stereotypes about femininity. This perspective implies that women may commit crimes just as frequently as men but are less likely to be caught or represented accurately in official statistics. Therefore, the portrayal of women in crime statistics can lead to an underrepresentation of female criminality, making the statistics appear to exaggerate the differences in crime between genders rather than accurately reflecting women's criminal behavior. The focus on these societal biases contributes to a misleading narrative around crime and gender.

Pollak’s view suggests that crime statistics tend to underestimate women's involvement in criminal activity. He argued that women are treated leniently by the justice system and that their offenses are often hidden or not reported due to societal norms and stereotypes about femininity. This perspective implies that women may commit crimes just as frequently as men but are less likely to be caught or represented accurately in official statistics. Therefore, the portrayal of women in crime statistics can lead to an underrepresentation of female criminality, making the statistics appear to exaggerate the differences in crime between genders rather than accurately reflecting women's criminal behavior. The focus on these societal biases contributes to a misleading narrative around crime and gender.