Chivalry Hypothesis refers to a theoretical explanation for the fact that there is very low involvement of females in the entire criminal justice system. The concept of chivalry finds its origin in the Middle Ages when the knights reflected chivalry towards the women. They had a protective nature towards the women. Some part of the chivalrous behaviour such as opening the doors for the women and giving the open seats in the public transport to the women still find existence in the modern day. Today, the chivalry hypothesis states that the women criminals are subject to lenient treatment in the criminal justice system than the male counterparts. The law also protects the women as a father protects a daughter when they indulge in violent crimes.
On the other hand, masculinity hypothesis states that crime is related to the masculinity. In other words, more number of men indulge in violent crimes while the females commit the lesser and nonviolent crimes. Therefore, the news coverage and the punishments are harsher for the men indulging in the criminal activities. There are various theories that assume that the males are more criminogenic but there are no explanations for the same. The male characteristics have not been studied to explain the involvement of men in comparatively more violent criminal activities. Though the masculinity hypothesis has received few empirical assessments, various researches on the subject attempt to test the masculinity proportion. Some research has also provided data to support the masculinity hypothesis.
The Term Paper on Cultural Masculinity and Crime
Masculinity is a fact that is conceptualized in Goliath in various ways and to a number of argumentative ends. On the other hand, there is a unique culture of masculinity which is identified as a connection between the ‘tough’ and ‘rough’ males and the law enforcers. Other connections include the nature of significance that is attached to homosocial bonding as well as the masculine camaraderie and ...
The data suggests that having masculine attributes has positively affected different types of delinquent offenses. The reports also consider the women with masculine characteristics who indulge in the criminal activities. I agree with the chivalry hypothesis. Even in the current scenario when the advanced technology has empowered the women, they often tend to get the lenient treatment in the criminal justice system. When compared to their male counterparts, the women do lack the physical male traits but they are no less powerful than the males. Therefore, I firmly believe that that there is a disproportionate involvement of women in the criminal justice system. The chivalry hypothesis is still dominating the criminal justice system..