NCJ Number
140972
Journal
Deviance et societe Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 287-296
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The article analyzes contradictions and difficult choices of feminist criminal policy in three areas: (1) the ability of criminal law to help the concerns of women, (2) the influence women should have in determining criminal policy, and (3) the extent of female responsibility before the law.
Abstract
First, some feminists demand a stricter criminal policy in offenses which victimize women (e.g., domestic violence); however, such a demand would endanger the relatively liberal criminal policy of the past 30 years which has, in general, benefited the minorities. Second, radical feminists demand a complete restructuring of the criminal code based on female concepts of morality; however, a less radical approach would increase female influence in existing criminal policy and would also benefit minority males who have been ill served by the existing criminal code. Third, traditionally criminal policy has considered women as weak victims who need the special tutelage and protection of a paternalistic law; however, recently women have demanded to assume full responsibility over their own interests, for example, in abortion and rape. The article concludes that with all its contradictions and difficult choices feminist criminal policy can offer valuable impulses to existing policy makers. 25 references