ABSTRACT
Historical and sociological studies of crime have paid comparatively little attention to women. This is partly due to the common belief that, because female criminals have been statistically fewer in number, female criminality is a less significant social issue. Female crimes have also been seen as more trivial. Women's offences, such as shoplifting, have involved comparatively smaller amounts of property loss, and less harmful crimes against the person. A large proportion of female criminals have been guilty only of offences involving prostitution. Additionally there is a general assumption enshrined in the social sciences, especially history, that women's actions themselves are less significant and less worthy of study. 1
