CHANGES IN THE SEX PATTERNING OF PERCEIVED THREATS OF SANCTIONS

In contrast to a recent survey conducted by Miller and Simpson, two ea rlier surveys of adults, one conducted in 1972 and the other in 1982, reported that women scored higher than men on measures of what Grasmic k and Bursik recently have called perceived threats of shame and embar rassment, as well as legal sanctions, for violating the law. Hagan's p ower-control theory, coupled with trends in labor force and household composition, is used to predict a decline over time in the magnitude o f the effect of sex on perceived threats of sanctions. The 1982 survey is merged with an identical one conducted in 1992 to determine whethe r men and women have become more alike in their perception of these th reats. Evidence supporting the predictions from power-control theory i s found for theft but not for assault. The findings are discussed in t he context of various theories and previous research concerning gender , crime, and social control.