Female Criminals Essay Research Paper Chapter One

Female Criminals Essay, Research Paper

-Chapter One Introduction Crime, when discussed or written about, appears initially neutral, meaning you can not differentiate whether the author is writing about men, women or both. References to “offenders” and “criminals” are common language among much criminological literature. Only after considerable reading does it become clear that the subjects concerned are male, not female. Such neglect is often rationalised by suggesting “females represent a small proportion of arrested offenders” (Morris, 1987, p.1). Frances Heidensohn (1996, p.7) states “shoplifting is in practice the only major category of crime which women make a significant contribution”. Despite being in small proportion to male offending, female criminality does exists in modern society, which is a deserving justification for it to be studied in equal balance to male criminality. Pat Carlen et al (1992, p.18) suggest that “female criminals have been consistently portrayed down the ages as peculiarly evil and depraved, and as unstable and irrational. Often their irrationality is linked to their biological and their psychological nature”. The notoriety of Mary Bell, Myra Hindley and Rosemary West aids in reinforcing this image. The effects of criminal activity upon society are often issues raised for legal, political and moral debate. However, the effects of academic and societal perceptions upon the offender are rarely determined. This study will concentrate on highlighting how, and to what extent, negative perceptions of female offenders have been created. Aiming to establish how criminological theories and media portrayals of female offenders have contributed to such perceptions. Female offenders no matter how grave or trivial the crime committed, are often viewed by academics and society as ‘doubly deviant’, “having offended not only against the Law but deeply ingrained social norms about how women should be” (Cavadino et al, 1998, p.280). A stereotypical image of a female offender has been set, and seeded deep into the societal framework. By taking a look at where these views have come from, perhaps the issues concerned can be fully understood. It is also fair to say that female offenders are often judged upon the roles that they are seen to be deviating away from rather, than the crime they have committed. Once again, an attempt will be made to discover an explanation for such a situation. This piece of documentary research will be formed in chapters, the introduction being the first. The second chapter will consist of the aims and objectives as well as the methodology. Within this chapter the desired outcome and the way in which it will be achieved shall be expressed. The third chapter will be compiled of, a critique of a selection of relevant literature surrounding criminological theories and, an analysis of the implications on society regarding media depiction’s of crime. The principle point of such an exercise it to help clarify terms and to establish existing limits of knowledge. A basis to suggest approaches not previously considered and for questions to be answered can be created as a result. In the fourth chapter a selection of relevant criminological theories will be highlighted. By assessing where views of female offenders originated it can be established how they influence academics who make use of and enforce the theories to have negative perceptions of such individuals. The first to be discussed is the masculinity theory. The underpinning principle of this theory is that men who commit crimes are doing so to display virility, carrying out acts brought on by natural male instincts. Whereas women who commit crime are simply deviating away from their societal roles. Thus presenting the argument that crime for men is justifiable, but is highly inappropriate behaviour for women. The second theory to be discussed in this chapter is the labelling theory. The principles of such a proposal are of paramount importance to this study as it highlights how labels set by powerful members of society can be adopted by the powerless to create an overall perspective of certain individuals, in this case criminals. It must be noted that the labelling theory is not meant to explain the primary incidence of crime, merely the impact of the labels. However, the Strain theory, as outlined in Naffine (1987) is offered as an explanation for the actual incidence of crime. Due to this reason, the strain theory will follow the labelling theory. The main assumption that it makes is that individuals commit crime due to external strains. It also contends that women face pressures such as “maintaining positive affective relationships” (Naffine, 1987, p.16), which will result in their deviancy. In addition to the previously mentioned theories, the fourth chapter will also contain definitions and explanations of the ‘evil women’ and ‘chivalry’ theories, which are outlined in Cavadino et al (1997). Once all the theories mentioned have been defined, their direct impact upon female offenders will be debated. An analysis of the negative implications that can result will also be presented. The point of this exercise is to highlight how traditional and contemporary criminological theories can influence the socialisation of women, enforcing stereotypes which women often feel pressured to maintain. If such social standards are not met, by acts of criminality taking place, it can be argued that women will be