Social Historical Studies of Women, Crime, and Courts

Posted: 14 Nov 2010

See all articles by Malcolm M. Feeley

Malcolm M. Feeley

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall)

Hadar Aviram

UC Law, San Francisco

Date Written: December 2010

Abstract

While traditional criminology has ignored the historical dimension of female crime, social historical literature has examined the interplay between gender and the criminal process in a variety of historical settings. This review examines studies focusing on changes in crime, prosecution, conviction, and punishment patterns over time, as well as studies in particular settings. From these studies we conclude that crime has not always been a predominantly male phenomenon and that female crime rates have changed over time. We also conclude that, within the different categories, women defendants in particular were perceived through a gendered perspective, and their criminalization and punishment, as well as its representation in popular culture, reflected this special perspective.

Suggested Citation

Feeley, Malcolm M. and Aviram, Hadar, Social Historical Studies of Women, Crime, and Courts (December 2010). Annual Review of Law and Social Science, Vol. 6, pp. 151-171, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1708410 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-102209-152910

Malcolm M. Feeley (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall) ( email )

215 Boalt Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
United States

Hadar Aviram

UC Law, San Francisco ( email )

200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

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