CHIVALROUS TREATMENT OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER IN THE ARMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

• NCJ Number: 35400
• Journal: Social Problems Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 350-357
• Author(s): E A ANDERSON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Study of Social Problems
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER REVIEWS THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ASCERTAIN THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT BY AGENTS OF SOCIAL CONTROL.

Abstract

IN ADDITION, AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO IDENTIFY THE MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY WHICH UNDERLIE THE NOTION THAT WOMEN ARE, IN GENERAL, EXPOSED TO A 'CHIVALROUS' JUSTICE SYSTEM. THREE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED THE PERPETUATION AND SURVIVAL OF THE (CHIVALRY' PROPOSITION ARE DISCUSSED: THE INSTIGATIVE FEMALE OFFENDER (A MANIPULATIVE FEMALE WHO CONS MALE CRIMINALS INTO DISPLAYING A CHIVALROUS ATTITUDE TOWARD HER); THE SEXUALIZED FEMALE OFFENDER (WOMEN WHO TURN TO CRIME FOR PURELY SEXUAL REASONS); AND THE PROTECTED FEMALE OFFENDER (THE IDEA THAT FEMALE CRIMINALS NEED TO BE PROTECTED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM). THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE NOTION OF A CHIVALROUS JUSTICE SYSTEM IS LARGELY A MYTH, AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ARE SUGGESTED. A TWO-PAGE LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)