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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- Sex differences, Offenses against property, Rural crimes

Abstract

During recent decades, sentencing patterns of offenders based on gender have been the topic of criminological and sociological research. There has been particular attention given to the lenient sentencing of female offenders compared to male offenders. Several research studies have found that gender affects the sentencing process in ways that are advantageous to female offenders, such as lower incarceration rates and shorter prison sentences. Despite the existing research on gender and sentencing, there are still several specific areas that need to be studied regarding this topic, such as property crimes and rural areas. The current research adds to the existing literature by using data collected from five rural counties in Iowa to test the selective chivalry theory on gender differences in property crime sentences in rural areas. Results of the statistical analysis found the gender of the offender had no effect on sentencing as predicted. Other variables that failed to have an effect on sentencing included the age of the offender, education level, employment status and family status. Based on these findings, there was no support for the selective chivalry theory.

Year of Submission

2010

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

First Advisor

Gayle M. Rhineberger-Dunn, Chair

Comments

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Date Original

5-2010

Object Description

1 PDF file (viii, 83 leaves ; 28 cm)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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Criminology Commons

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