The Impact of Divorce on Male and Female crime—An Empirical Study Based on Chinese Case Data

Gender differences in crime and the relationship between marriage and crime have been examined in the literature. However, the distinct impact of divorce on male and female crime has not been fully examined. This study investigates the gendered effect of divorce rates on crime in China. Drawing on 6,506,282 first-instance criminal judgments from 2014 to 2023 and employing multiple linear regression models, we find that divorce has a stronger effect on male crime than on female crime. Distinct gendered pathways also emerge: divorce significantly predicts violent crime among men, whereas women are more likely to commit instrumental property crimes. The findings suggest that biological differences, gendered socialization, and unequal family status within marriage shape these divergent responses. After divorce, men are more prone to anger and violent crime, while women are more likely to commit property crimes to support their children. Confucian cultural norms further reinforce these gendered mechanisms.