Family and employment status associated with women's criminal behavior

Exploring the relationship between women's criminal behavior as evidenced in violence, type of crime, prior criminal history, and the fulfillment of traditional female roles delineated by marital status, employment status, or presence of children in the home of the woman was based on the evaluation of 141 female inmates, which indicated a limited relationship between fulfilling traditional female roles and the nature of female criminal activity. Married and previously married subjects tended to be involved primarily with murder and secondarily with theft. Single subjects were involved primarily with theft and secondarily involved with robbery. Employed subjects were more likely to be involved with theft and nonviolent crime. Unemployed subjects were more likely to be involved in violent crimes.