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Women and the criminal justice system of the Unites States

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Women and the criminal justice system of the Unites States
The societal effects of sexism, race, gender and class have had major effects on women in
the United States. There are more women under the strict supervision of the criminal justice than
men and these has been the same for decades now. There has been an agreement among the
professions of criminal justice that women are a lesser threat than the men. But still the current
models of sentencing do not recognize the difference in gender and therefore the current laws of
sentencing applies to both men and women equally. This is not a fare action for women since
these laws are imposed based on the male characteristics and their likely wood to commit a crime
(Swan, Suzanne, and David pg 84). The laws also fail to recognize the reality the women live in,
their responsibilities, characteristics and role in crimes.
In the United State, the criminal justice system is referred to as “sexist operation” because
fails to support women offenders out of crime and hinders other women from attaining the
prestigious top jobs. The lack of adequate women representation in the criminal justice system
“the prestigious jobs” has heavily contributed to the increase number of women being sentenced
to prison. Men have always protected themselves from women by controlling the professionals
they take up; the men have always wanted to take the supposed tough careers like being
magistrates and judges while the women are expected to be clerks in courtrooms and such.

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Studies indicated that men receive harsher sentencing that women, but this is not true in the
United States. The current laws of sentencing hold that all should face the same law of sentencing
regardless of gender. Same is the case with transgender individuals who are always discriminated
in prisons. They face high risks of being sexually assaulted if not put in prisons that fit their
gender. Most are not even allowed to do away with their hormones or get reassignment surgery.
Another perspective of gender difference causing sexual assault is the belief that women
are more vulnerable therefore more easy to assault. It is assumed that women are weak to resist
sexual assaults. The male on the other hand are likely to assault women as they portray
dominancy over women and may often show it off through assaults. It is on this note that most
women in the United States are actively participating in self-defense classes.
Education for women has also been affected. Traditionally, there existed barriers to
attaining higher education for women. And even if they got past the barriers they were asked to
major in subjects that were less-intellectual and intimidating to the men. In America English
Literature was deemed to be the most suitable for most women pursuing education. Others,
specifically those who were married, were expected to stay at home and raise the children. It is no
wonder women are not well represented in the powerful positions in government and the various
famous organizations. A United States Bureau of Labor statistics report of 2001 showed that
women are likely to attain their first degree at the age of 23 which is not the case with men. But
still there are factors that favor the men more than the women should be.
Historically, concerns have always been there for the young African-Americans. They have
always experienced poverty, social distress, academic difficulties and violent crimes. Young girls
who are African American have been discriminated and made fun of. In one case study, in one of
the prestigious private school was physically being tortured (Swan, Suzanne, and David pg 124). Her
fellow student teased her claiming she was trying too much to become white just by being in that

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