gender and crime

Question 1

Polack - men commiting more crime is a myth

Answer 1

• biological factors influence female crime
• women more devious than men due to need to conceal menstuation
• women more likely to commit domestic crimes in roles like maids
• women manipulate men into commiting crimes for them

Question 2

Chivalry thesis

Answer 2

• women treated more leniantly
• may be let off with warnings

Speed and Burrows - found that men are twice as likely to recieve custodial sensences for shoplifting compared to women

Question 3

Klein

critisism of chivalry thesis

Answer 3

chivalry is racist and classist as middle class white women are most likely to benefit

Question 4

Heidensohn

critisism of chivalry thesis

Answer 4

women who confrom to traditional gender roles may be treated more leniantly (home, public, work, social policy)

Question 5

Carlen

critisism of chivalry thesis

Answer 5

womens roles as mothers is considered in sentencing, unlike mes roles as fathers, appearance of leniancy

Question 6

factors affecting sentencing

Answer 6

• mitigating factors (first time offender, guilty plea, personal circumstances) can reduce them
• aggravating factors (lack of remorse) can increase them

Question 7

Farrington and Morris

Answer 7

found that women recieve less severe sentences but were more likely to be first time offenders

Question 8

Hedderman and Gunby

Answer 8

female offenders often face more complex issues (single parenthood), which may be considered in sentencing rather than chivalry

Question 9

Chesney-lind