What does Alder’s liberation thesis claim about women's crime rates?

Alder’s liberation thesis posits that as women gain more social, economic, and political freedoms, their involvement in crime will increase, potentially leading to crime rates that are as frequent and serious as men's. This theory is grounded in the idea that traditional gender roles have historically restrained women from engaging in criminal behavior, as they were often socialized to be passive and compliant. However, with the liberation movement and changing societal norms, women are experiencing increased opportunities and life choices similar to those of men, which could lead to their participation in criminal activities in a comparable manner.

The thesis suggests that as societal constraints diminish, women may commit crimes that reflect the same motivations and seriousness as that of male offenders. Therefore, the assertion that women's crime rates will align more closely with men's is central to Alder’s argument about the evolving nature of female criminality in response to liberation.