Throughout the semester we have learned of the complexities involved in the social construct of gender. This social construct crosses over through class, race, institutions, and other aspects of society. Criminal justice institutions are just one part of our social world where gender is highly influential in decision making and processes.
One way we see gender intersect with our social justice system is the increase in divorce rates. This problem has only worsened women's economic disadvantage. For example, female arrest rates for forgery and embezzlement increased between 1960 and 1997, while men's rates of arrest for similar crimes decreased. An increase in women's drug arrests has also been seen recently, leading to more long-term jail time for women. Drug offenses make up 43% of the increase of women in prison.
Merry Morash, "Understanding Gender, Crime, and Justice"
Sage Publications, Inc., 2005
Emily Sante
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