Question

Assuming that males are more violent than females; does that mean crime has a biological rather than a social basis (because males and females share a similar environment)? Would you classify this as an individual or a societal issue? Explain.

Answer 1

• Generally, assumptions are made males are more violent and aggressive than females in every society. Male and female biological differences are far superior than social basis to some extent but it does not mean social basis are not active either. Biologically, the issue of behavior can be determined within the functions of genetic hormones of both genders.
• From a biological perspective; Male has different hormonal functions then female therefore, male acts differently than female and have greatly different sex drives from both genders. A research done by Marcia & Melissa (1995);Evidence displays that a gonadal hormone through prenatal and neonatal development effected behavior is reviewed. Numerous theoretical models of hormonal influences, derived from research in other species, are described. These models are evaluated on the basis of data from humans with either normal or abnormal hormonal exposure.
• Gonadal hormones appear to influence development of some human behaviors that show sex differences in male and female. The evidence is strongest for childhood play behavior and is relatively strong for sexual orientation and tendencies toward aggression. Also, high levels of hormones do not enhance intelligence, although a minimum level may be needed for optimal development of some cognitive processes". Therefore,hormones do play an important role in gender behaviors.
• However, on the other hand, social basis also play important role in male dominance. Every society and culture in world demands males living within society or following specific culture should be superior. Besides, people do encourage those who are violent to be more violent to gain respect around surrounding people or Kirst-Ashman and Hull(2009) explained, "A person-in environment focus sees people as constantly interacting with various systems around them.
• This system includes the family, friends, work, social services, politics, religion, goods and services, and educational systems. The person is portrayed as being dynamically involved with each. Social work practice then is directed at improving the intentions between the person and various systems. This focus is referred to as improving person in environment fit".
• For example; Social basis is made up off cultural, family, societal etc. An individual certainly will come in touch with these experiences of life. Experiences can be family problems, friends, cultures promoting violence and many other reasons. In the end, result combines up towards females and males.
• Male and Female both can be influenced by these environments and make them violent. Therefore, an answer is distributed between biological(individual) and social basis.
• Males are more violent and vice versa; comparison can only be determined using biological and social basis in extracting the cause. From biological/individual perspective answer, points towards the hormonal effects different from one another and from social basis point of view male and female behaviors are determined by influences that surround them. So,it is a combination and makes it an individual and societal issue both, as both factors play an important role in determining violent behaviours in males and females.