Date of Award
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Sociology
Supervisor
Dr. Paul Pare
Second Advisor
Dr. Tracey Adams
Abstract
This thesis explores the interaction between risky lifestyle behaviours and gender in predicting violent victimization. Using a combination of routine activity theory (Cohen and Felson 1979) and lifestyle theory (Hindelang et al. 1978) and 'doing gender' literature, the chivalry hypothesis, convergence hypothesis and the evil woman hypothesis are examined. Prior research suggests that individuals with high-risk lifestyles are prone to violent victimization. In this thesis, I utilize the General Social Survey on Victimization (2004) and employ a series of logistic regressions to examine how gender and high-risk lifestyles interact to predict personal victimization. The chivalry hypothesis, convergence hypothesis and the evil woman hypothesis are examined, with the convergence hypothesis emerging as the strongest of the three theories across most risky \ lifestyle behaviours when examining gender interaction. There is also some mixed support for both the chivalry hypothesis and the evil woman hypothesis across the two indicators related to drinking.
Recommended Citation
Reynolds, Jennifer Elizabeth Angela, "THE INTERACTION BETWEEN GENDER AND RISKY LIFESTYLES ON PREDICTING VIOLENT VICTIMIZATION: A TEST OF THE CHIVALRY, CONVERGENCE AND EVIL WOMAN HYPOTHESES" (2009). Digitized Theses. 3958.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3958