Gender and the Criminal Justice System Flashcards
What is the chivalry thesis?
Criminal justice system treats women more leniently than men
What is double deviance?
Feminists argue the criminal justice system treats women more harshly than men
What is the evidence for chivalry thesis?
Female first time offenders are about half as likely to be given a prison sentence than men
Women less likely to be remanded in custody
Women more likely to receive a suspended sentence or community service than imprisonment
When imprisoned, women receive shorter jail terms
What is the evidence for double deviance?
Women have more ‘mitigating factors’ e.g. plead guilty, show remorse, having caring responsibilities, lack of previous convictions
Women tend to commit less serious offences than men
What are double deviants?
Broken the law and social norms expected of women
What does feminist Carlen argue female offenders are assessed on
Carlen says women character is assessed
e.g. ‘bad mothers’ - worse than ‘bad father’
Why might women be treated more leniently by police and courts?
Because they may see women as innocent and vulnerable which reflects gender stereotypes
Why does Carlen argue women are treated more harshly by the criminal justice system?
Because they are double deviants as they have broken the law and gone against the societal norms of female behaviour making them seem more criminal
Why might women how don’t conform to traditional gender roles be treated more harshly?
Because they are expected to conform to these roles and not behave in a way that goes against societal norms for women behaviour
