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7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 MARCH 2026 NEWS Why do men commit more crimes than women? At Malta's main prison, men outnumber women more than 10 to one. Experts say biology, socialisation and policing practices may all help explain why men dominate crime statistics. Nicole Meilak tries to understand the phenomenon AT the Corradino Correctional Facility, men vastly outnumber women. The latest available figures show there are 632 male inmates compared with just 59 women in Malta's prison. This pattern is seen across the world and has long been recognised as one of the most consistent findings in criminology. Researchers have spent decades try- ing to understand why men commit far more recorded crimes than women. Some point to biological differences, others to the way boys and girls are so- cialised, while some argue the gap may partly reflect how crime is policed and prosecuted. Biology and behaviour Psychiatrist Donatella Agius said bio- logical differences may play a role in how men and women respond to stress and emotional distress. "Take anxiety for example. Women may experience heart palpitations and panic attacks, while men may become aggressive and irritable," she said, adding that hormonal differences may influence how such emotions are expressed. Certain conditions associated with im- pulsivity are also diagnosed more often in men. "These include disorders like ADHD or antisocial personality disorder. If they go undiagnosed or untreated, they may lead to impulsive behaviour or substance misuse," Agius said. She stressed that these conditions do not automatically make someone vio- lent. "This doesn't mean we don't see these cases in women, but we see it less fre- quently. And even when they are pres- ent, how symptoms manifest varies greatly between individuals." Social expectations Sociologist Marilyn Clark said sociali- sation also plays a major role in shaping behaviour. From an early age, boys and girls often face different expectations about how they should behave. "This is especially the case among working class males who may have fewer opportunities to access resources com- pared to more privileged young men," Clark said. "In these environments there can be strong pressures to conform to certain ideas of masculinity. Young men may feel they need to demonstrate toughness or risk-taking behaviour." Meanwhile, girls have historically been socialised differently. Their social lives have often been more centred around the home, with families discouraging them from spending as much time in public spaces due to con- cerns about safety. Some researchers have described this pattern as "bedroom culture". While these dynamics have changed over time, Clark said expectations around behaviour can still differ signif- icantly between men and women. Opportunities for crime The kinds of opportunities available to men and women can also shape crime patterns. "If you look at white collar crime, men are more likely hold positions of power that allow those offences to happen," Clark said. "Women are still more likely to occupy less powerful roles, which can limit the opportunities for certain types of crime." The role of the justice system Some criminologists argue the gender gap may also reflect how crime is policed and prosecuted. One theory, known as the Chivalry Thesis, suggests that women may some- times receive more lenient treatment from the criminal justice system. "Police tend to survey men more fre- quently than women," Clark said. "They are more likely to stop men and more likely to press charges, while women may be cautioned instead." However, she said that once women en- ter the criminal justice system, they may face harsher social judgement. "Women who offend are not only seen as breaking the law but also as breaking expectations of femininity," she said. "They can face greater stigma as a re- sult." Is the gap smaller than it appears? Some evidence suggests the gender gap in crime may not be as wide as official statistics indicate. Clark pointed to victimisation surveys and self-report studies in which people are asked anonymously whether they have committed offences. "When people answer anonymously, the difference between men and women becomes smaller," she said. "That sug- gests the gap we see in official figures may partly reflect how crime is detected and prosecuted."