The Declining Gender Difference in Crime: The Taiwanese Case

Industrialized Taiwan is facing increasing crime rates. Despite concern from the government as well as the general public, crime has hardly been researched. Research regarding gender difference in crime is nonexistent in Taiwan. This article examines the extent and nature of gender difference in crime from 1979 to 1993 in Taiwan. Data are from official arrest records in Crime Statistics. Results of a longitudinal analysis reveal that both male and female total crime rates have increased. However, the male-to-female crime ratio has declined in total arrests, as well as in four types of crimes: violent, property, drug, and gambling. The sharpest decline in gender ratio has occurred in the category of drug offenses.