General ideas Flashcards
Give 2 statistics that show that there are differences in crime treatment for males and females?
Female crimes are less likely to be reported
By the age of 40, 9% of females have a criminal conviction as against 32% of males
Males are more likely to be repeat offenders
What does Pollock say about gender crime rates?
The male rate of crime compared to females is a myth and is a result in the differences in types of crimes and the perception and treatment of male and female offences.
Women are biologically more likely to commit certain crimes due to hormonal imbalances.
Women are more devious and use their home environment and social roles to conceal crimes
Pollock believes that women manipulate men to commit crimes for them. What is an A02 example that can be used to support this idea?
Women manipulate men to commit crimes for them- they are the masterminds, but the partners take and get the blame. An example of this could be the story of the Wests. Rose West forced her husband Fred West to bring people to their basement and watch her abuse them. After he gets caught- and she doesn’t- he commits suicide in prison.
What does the Chivaldry thesis state?
The chivalry thesis states that men treat women with courtesy, sympathy and respect which is why the criminal justice system lets off women lightly.
Give 3 statistics/sociologists that can be used to act as evidence for the chivaldry thesis.
Hoods- women are one third less likely o receive jail sentences for the same crimes as men.
Official statistics state that females are more likely than men to receive a fine or a community sentence
Official statistics state that women on average receive shorter prison sentences.
Give 3 statistics/sociologists that can be used to act as evidence against the chivaldry thesis.
Farrington and Morris´- study of sentencing found that women were not sentenced more leniently for comparable offences.
The chivalry thesis also ignores that many male crimes do not get reported. For example, Yearnshire found that on average women experience 35 assaults before reporting domestic violence.
Crimes of the powerful are also underrepresented in self report and victim surveys and these are more likely to by men due to be committed by men due to their more privileged positions in the workplace.
What do feminists say about women and crime?
Feminists argue the criminal justice system is biased against women
How does Heidesohn support the feminism in regards to women and crime? (she gives two examples to prove her point)
Heidesohn- argues the courts treat women more harshly than men when they deviate from gender norms. For example:
Double standards- girls but not boys are punished for premature sexual activity. Sharpe found that 7/11 girls were referred for support because they were sexually active while 0/44 boys were referred for support.
Women don’t conform to accepted standards of monogamous heterosexuality and motherhood are punished more harshly. Steward- Magistrate’s opinions of female defendants were based on stereotypical gender roles.
What does Carlen say women are judged based upon?
Carlen- when women are jailed it is less for “the seriousness of their crimes” and more according to the courts assessment of them as wives, mothers’ and daughters. Carlen found that Scottish judges were more likely to jail women as they based their assessment of them based on them being a daughter, a wife and a mother.
What does Smart say to show that the criminal justice system isnt fair.
Smart- the criminal justice system is a patriarchal institution. There is a victim blaming culture which affects victims of sexual assault.
What does Walklate say about rape cases?
Walklate- in rape cases, the victim is on trial rather than the offender.
What is Smarts idea on female socialisation about?
Girls have stricter rules regarding how late they can stay out, their friendship groups an where they go. These rules are fed by exaggerated fears about safety. This fear is also emphasised by the media. Smart argued that the strict socialisation that took place within the family is the main factor which has an impact on female criminality.
