Perspectives of Female Criminality - A Critical Examination of Assumptions (From Women and Crime, P 33-48, 1981, Allison Morris and Loraine Gelsthorpe, ed. - See NCJ-84707)

• NCJ Number: 84709
• Author(s): C S Widom
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: University of Cambridge
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper examines several characteristics thought to be important in understanding female criminality and assumptions about psychopathology and homogeneity of female offenders, with emphasis on recent research findings and the policy implications of these findings.

Abstract

Despite the common assertion that female offenders are characterized by low self-esteem, recent studies have showed similarities in self-esteem among female offenders and nonoffenders. Additional studies bring into question the view that confused sex-role identity is an explanation for female criminality. Studies showing that female offenders are more conservative and traditional in their attitude toward women than were comparison groups of nonoffender women also refute the assumption that female offenders, especially younger offenders, are emancipated from traditional feminine roles and attitudes. The viewpoint in literature dating to early 1900's that female criminals are mentally abnormal is also inaccurate. More recent research shows that female offenders vary greatly and that a large proportion are psychologically normal. The assumption that female offenders are a homogeneous group is also erroneous. Typologies and classification systems should be used to permit specific treatments based on distinct groups representing relatively homogeneous behavioral or personality types. Much progress in understanding female criminality could be made if the assumption that this criminality relates to deviations from gender-role expectations were dropped. Tables, a discussion of the paper, and 42 references are supplied.