WOMEN AND CRIME (FROM FUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE, 1977, SEE NCJ 51577)

• NCJ Number: 51578
• Journal: INSTANTANES CRIMINOLOGIQUES, ANNALES DE VAUCRESSON Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (JULY 1977) Pages: 189-204
• Author(s): D KALOGEROPOULOS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Association Francaise de Criminologie
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: French
• Country: France

Annotation

THE ARTICLE FOCUSES ON WOMEN FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF THEIR CHANGING ROLE IN FRENCH SOCIETY, THEIR DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, AND THEIR PERCEPTION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

Abstract

THE PROBLEM OF CRIME MUST BE UNDERSTOOD WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF WOMEN'S CHANGING ROLE IN SOCIETY BROUGHT ABOUT PRINCIPALLY BY THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AND THE LEGALIZATION OF ABORTION. STATISTICS SHOW THAT INCIDENCE OF CRIME, HIGHER BEFORE THE AGE OF 25 AND AFTER THE AGE OF 40 IN WOMEN, COINCIDES WITH THE TIME OF GREATEST PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK FORCE. MOST CRIMINOLOGISTS BELIEVE THAT FEMALE DELINQUENCY INCREASES WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN ACTIVE SOCIAL LIFE. THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN CERTAIN CRIMES COMMITTED BY WOMEN FROM 1961 TO 1971: BREACH OF TRUST, THEFT, BAD CHECKS, FRAUD, INVOLUNTARY HOMICIDE, INVOLUNTARY ASSAULT, ABANDONMENT, DRUG TRAFFIC, AND DRUG ABUSE. MARRIED WOMEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THESE CRIMES. IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, THE PROFESSIONS OF MOST DELINQUENT WOMEN ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) SERVICE PERSONNEL (OTHER THAN HOUSEKEEPERS), (2) HOUSEKEEPERS, (3) DOMESTICS, (4) OFFICE WORKERS, (5) SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYEES, (6) MANAGERS IN PRIVATE FIRMS, (7) ADMINISTRATORS, (8) EXECUTIVES IN SMALL BUSINESSES, (9) SCHOOL TEACHERS AND (10) AGRICULTURAL WORKERS. THE COURTS TEND TO BE MORE LENIENT TOWARD WOMEN, EXCEPT IN CASES OF PREMEDITATED MURDER AND INFANTICIDE. WOMEN FREQUENTLY COMMENT THAT DURING THEIR TRIALS THEY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND MUCH OF THE PROCEEDINGS, (2) JURIES ARE COMPOSED OF TOO MANY WOMEN AND OLDER CITIZENS, WHO ARE VIEWED AS HARSH CRITICS, AND (3) YOUNG JUDGES DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR SITUATION AND ARE MORE STRICT THAN OLDER JUDGES. MOST WOMEN ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR LAWYERS, WHETHER COURT APPOINTED OR SELF-CHOSEN BUT ALL FEEL THAT BETTER LAWYERS ARE AVAILABLE AT A PRICE BEYOND THEIR MEANS. THE VAST MAJORITY (90 PERCENT) OF WOMEN FEEL THAT THEIR SENTENCES ARE TOO SEVERE. THE AUTHOR CITES NO REFERENCES AND DOES NOT INCLUDE A BIBLIOGRAPHY. --IN FRENCH. (INL)