Social Control » Heidensohn on Female Conformity

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Frances Heidensohn's theory on female conformity
The concept of patriarchal control and its impact on women
The double deviance theory and its implications
How social control mechanisms affect female behaviour
Real-world examples and case studies of female conformity
Critical evaluation of Heidensohn's perspective

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Introduction to Heidensohn's Theory on Female Conformity

Frances Heidensohn is a key feminist sociologist who developed influential theories about why women appear to commit fewer crimes than men and why they generally conform more to social norms. Her work in the 1980s challenged traditional criminology which had largely ignored or misrepresented women's experiences.

Key Definitions:

Social Control: The methods used by society to encourage conformity to norms, values and laws.
Patriarchy: A system of society where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority and social privilege.
Conformity: Behaviour that follows the accepted rules and norms of society.
Double Deviance: The idea that women who commit crimes are seen as doubly deviant - breaking both the law and gender expectations.

💡 The Control Theory

Heidensohn argues that women commit fewer crimes than men because they are subject to much stricter social control. This control operates in both public and private spheres, limiting women's opportunities to engage in deviant behaviour.

🔗 The Patriarchal Control

According to Heidensohn, women are controlled by patriarchal structures in society that restrict their freedom and monitor their behaviour more closely than men's. This control starts in childhood and continues throughout women's lives.

Forms of Control Over Women

Heidensohn identified several key mechanisms through which women's behaviour is controlled and regulated in society:

Domestic Control

Women's traditional role in the home creates a form of control that limits their opportunities for deviance. The responsibilities of childcare and household management keep women physically confined to domestic spaces and busy with legitimate activities.

Real-Life Example

Studies show that mothers with young children have very limited free time - often less than an hour per day to themselves. This practical constraint makes it difficult to engage in criminal activities which often require time away from home.

Economic Control

Historically, women have had less economic independence than men. Limited access to well-paid jobs and financial resources restricts women's opportunities and increases their dependence on others (often male partners or family members).

💸 Financial Dependency

When women depend financially on others, they have more to lose by breaking rules. The risk of losing support can be a powerful incentive to conform.

💼 Workplace Supervision

Women in the workplace often face greater scrutiny and supervision than their male counterparts, making deviant behaviour more difficult.

Informal Social Control

Heidensohn emphasises that much of the control over women is informal rather than through official channels like the police or courts:

👀 Surveillance

Women's behaviour is more closely monitored by family, neighbours and the community.

💬 Gossip

Social disapproval and gossip act as powerful deterrents to female deviance.

💁 Reputation

Women's reputations are more easily damaged by rumours of 'inappropriate' behaviour.

Double Deviance and Harsher Judgement

A crucial aspect of Heidensohn's theory is the concept of 'double deviance'. When women do break the law, they face harsher social judgement than men because they've violated two sets of rules:

The criminal law (like men would)
Gender-appropriate behaviour expectations

Case Study Focus: Media Coverage

Research into media reporting shows that female offenders are often portrayed in more negative terms than male offenders who commit similar crimes. Female criminals are frequently described as 'evil', 'manipulative', or 'unnatural', with emphasis placed on their failure as mothers or wives. This demonstrates the 'double deviance' concept in action.

Control Through Socialisation

Heidensohn argues that girls are socialised differently from boys from an early age:

Girls are taught to be more cautious and risk-averse
They're encouraged to be nurturing and considerate of others' feelings
Parents typically monitor girls' activities more closely than boys'
Girls receive stronger messages about the importance of 'good' behaviour

👩 Female Socialisation

Girls are taught to value relationships and to consider the impact of their actions on others. This creates internal controls against behaviour that might harm relationships.

👨 Male Socialisation

Boys are often encouraged to be adventurous, competitive and to take risks - traits that can sometimes lead to rule-breaking behaviour.

Fear as a Control Mechanism

Heidensohn identifies fear as a significant factor in female conformity:

The Fear of Sexual Violence

Women are taught from a young age to fear sexual violence and to modify their behaviour to avoid it. This includes avoiding certain places, not going out alone at night and dressing 'appropriately'. These safety strategies restrict women's freedom and opportunities.

Research Evidence

Studies consistently show that women report higher levels of fear of crime than men, despite being statistically less likely to be victims of most types of crime (with the exception of sexual offences). This fear has a real impact on women's behaviour and choices.

Evaluation of Heidensohn's Theory

While Heidensohn's work has been influential, it's important to consider both its strengths and limitations:

✅ Strengths

Provides a convincing explanation for gender differences in crime rates
Recognises the importance of social structures rather than biological differences
Highlights the often-overlooked impact of informal social control
Supported by evidence from studies of female offenders

❌ Limitations

May overstate the level of control in modern society where gender roles have evolved
Doesn't fully explain why some women do commit crimes despite these controls
Could be accused of portraying women as passive victims rather than active agents
May not apply equally across different social classes and cultural contexts

Contemporary Relevance

Although Heidensohn developed her theories several decades ago, many aspects remain relevant today:

Women still commit fewer crimes than men across all societies
Gender expectations continue to influence how female offenders are treated
Women's behaviour is still subject to more scrutiny in many contexts
The fear of violence continues to restrict women's freedom

Modern Application

Heidensohn's ideas can help us understand not just crime, but other forms of conformity and deviance. For example, they might explain why women are often more cautious about breaking workplace rules or why they may face harsher judgement for behaviours like drinking heavily or having multiple sexual partners.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

According to Frances Heidensohn:

Women commit fewer crimes primarily because of stronger social control, not biological differences
This control operates through domestic responsibilities, economic dependence and stricter supervision
Women who do break rules face 'double deviance' - being judged for breaking both legal and gender norms
Fear, especially of sexual violence, restricts women's behaviour and opportunities
Different socialisation of girls creates stronger internal controls against deviance
The patriarchal structure of society maintains these control mechanisms

Understanding Heidensohn's perspective helps us see how gender expectations and social control influence behaviour in ways that go beyond individual choices.

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