NCJ Number
244299
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 347-365
Date Published
September 2013
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study aims to identify and investigate the ways in which gender role expectations impact the verdicts and sentences in filicide cases.
Abstract
Although mothers and fathers are equally likely to kill their children, maternal filicide cases tend to draw more media coverage and community outrage. While traditional gender role expectations appear to contribute to the community response that follows a report of filicide - and influence media representations - little is known about the offenders' treatment in the criminal justice system. Drawing on theorizing within gender studies, this article examines relationships between traditional gender role expectations and court case outcomes in cases of maternal and paternal filicide. Findings indicate that both verdicts and sentences in these cases vary by gender and that, for female offenders, the differential treatment is related to how well they appear to fit traditional gender roles. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.