Car theft is a man’s world, according to a new paper by Christopher W. Mullins and Michael G. Cherbonneau. Car thieves face two big tasks: stealing the car and selling it. Both male and female thieves are “mentored” by more experienced thieves?in much the same way; however, men have an advantage when it’s time to sell the stolen goods. “They are more connected to a social network of criminals that provides access to chop shops, where the cars can be dismantled and sold for parts,” reports Tom Bartlett. Mullins and Cherbonneau conclude that “[w]ithout these contacts the ability to profit from auto theft was significantly curtailed. The next profitable source for those who lack access to these higher outlets was to sell vehicle parts and accessories on the streets. … Yet, even those who sold parts on the street relied upon social networks to either move parts or become aware of customers.” [%comments]
Why Car Thieves Are Male
TAGS: crime, gender relations
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It’s not really about social networking, it’s about a certain type of social networking – let’s call it gearhead social networking.
If I understand the point of this too-brief article, females are probably underrepresented in autobody classes etc, and are therefore underrepresented in the networks that men build growing up sharing a love of tinkering with cars.
The social networking mentioned is not online, in the office, nor at parties, it is in the criminal world where violence, or at least the threat of violence, is an inherent part of the “networking.” In this regard, of course there is a significant gender gap. I would also venture men also have an advantage in obtaining stolen goods, of any variety, for this same reason.
It is not that Cars are a Male thing. Women drive cars in equal rates.
It is that Crime is a Male thing. Men are 93% of the Prison Poulation. They are 10 times more likely than women to Steal Cars, Vandalize, Assault, Do Armed Robbery, Join a Gang, Do Grand Theft, Do Graft Corruption, Murder, and Avoid Arrests on a Car Chase thru the Streets of San Francisco.
Maybe the women are just better at not getting caught and/or interviewed? A desire to brag about one’s success and criminal connections to a total stranger with a clipboard might, for example, be associated with an excess of testosterone….
Wait a minute…! Males do everything bad with far greater frequency than women (with only a few minor exceptions).
This is probably die to testosterone. This is why farmers castrate all their male animals and borrow a stallion or bull or whatever when they need his services.
In most countries women do most of the real labor and the guys stand around, get drunk and talk sh*t. Where have you been?
You could stop the war in Afghanistan or anywhere if the women just walked out.
Don’t let Parker see this!
It’s the Galoot Factor again. Is the data broken down by gay/straight? : )
The social thing makes perfect sense. If a few guys are friends by the end of college its unlikely they will have a falling out. On the other hand, women hate their best friend a week later and never reconcile the differences. Breaking off all you connections is not a good business practice, particularly in a tight knit community like the car business.