CHIVALRY THESIS

Reason 1

Carlen argues that when women are jailed, it is less for the ‘seriousness of their crimes and more according to the courts assessment of them as wives, mothers and daughters’

Reason 2

Heidensohn argues that the courts treat females more harshly than males when they deviate from gender norms.

Reason 3

The chivalry thesis also ignores that he fact that many male crimes do not get reported. e.g. only 8% of females who had been victims of a serious sexual assault reported it to the police.

Reason 4

Women offenders also seem more likely to show remorse, and this may help to explain why they are more likely to recieve a caution instead of going to court