Women and Crime

Up until the turn of the nineteenth century, women were primarily perceived as sexual objects and expected to remain within male dominated ideologies such as homemaker, career and nurturer taking second place after men. Women who strayed from the norm were severely punished, void of any opportunities to explain their actions. In late nineteenth century criminologists like Lombroso and Ferrero argued that the born female criminal was perceived to have the criminal qualities of the male plus the worst characteristics of women. Although it may be true that society has changed since the days of Lombroso and Ferrero, past theories appear to remain within much of today’s criminal justice system. It would appear naive to assume that women and crime may be explained by any one theory. This book provides a comprehensive overview of how women both affect and are affected by crime and the criminal justice system. It is unique in its attempt to critically evaluate the ways in which systematic interrelating social structures of class, race and gender impact on women offenders caught in the criminal justice system, women victims and survivors of male violence, and women who work throughout the criminal justice system. It is chock full of the latest research findings on many aspects of women offenders and victims. This authentic work is recommended for academics, researchers and students in sociology, women’s studies, criminology and criminal justice.