Gender Patterns in crime Flashcards
What are the general patterns between gender and criminality (3)
Males are more likely to be repeat offenders, have longer criminal careers and commit more serious crimes
96% prison population and 85% arrests are male (2022)
Females are more likely to be convicted of property offences , males are more likely to be convicted for violent and sexual crimes
What are the general patterns between victimisation and gender
Men more likely to be victims of crime
Women more llikely to be victims of domestic voilence and sexual abuse
What did Heidensohn say about crime stats
Gender differences are the biggest differences in statistic of recorded crime
Generally, why are statistics under-estimating female offending
The type of crime women commit is less likely to be reported - prostitution
Women are less likely to be prosecuted/ let off lightly - Chivalry thesis
What is the Chivalry Thesis
Where men in the CJS are socialised to act in a chivalrous way towards women - result in CJS being more lenient with female offenders
Causes invalid statistics as female offenders dont get convicted or sentenced
What is an example of the Chivalry Thesis
Lavinia Woodward - stabbed her boyfriend but judge let her off as she had a ‘bright future’ ahead with being an oxford student and did not want to ruin it
What does Hood say to strengthen the Chivalry Thesis
Women are less likely to be jailed in similar cases to men and are more likely to recieve a fine or community sentence
What do Self-report studies find that criticises the Chivalry Thesis
Men are more likely to commit crime in all major offence catagories
How does Heidensohn criticise the Chivalry thesis (feminist)
Courts are actually harsher towards women
Double deviance: females treated harsher than males when they break gender norms
Double standards: courts more likely to punish girls for premature sexual activity compared to boys
How does Carlen criticise the Chivalry Thesis
Scottish judges more likely to jail women whos children were in care compared to ‘good mothers’
How does Walklate criticise the Chivalry Thesis
Womens complaints often not taken seriously in rape cases - women have to prove their own respectibility, rather than the male suspect
What is an example of Walklates criticism of females having to prove their own respectibility in rape cases
A rape trial in Ireland- Courts bias against women with victim blaming
- defence lawyer brought in how she was dressed showed a lack of respect (she was a child)
