Gender On Sentencing

Introduction/ Prior research

In previous studies, many examined the independent effects of race and gender on sentencing, and others looked at their joint effects. However, prior research has not looked at all three statues together-race, gender, and age- and how they can affect the sentencing of a defendant. The article use information from a statewide data from Pennsylvania between 1989-1992, to examine the effects of race, gender, and age on sentencing, particular on how each factors might contextualize each other. The primary research question is whether social control in the form of criminal punishment is differentially mobilized on the basis of the three statues.

Research have found different outcomes on the effects race has on sentencing.

However, little is known about the interactive effect of gender and race on sentencing outcomes. Researchers have predicted that black females will a sentence similar to a white male, but harsher than a white female. In the current study, examines whether race and gender interacts, and the effects of age with race and gender.

Researchers have illuminated the connection age has with sentencing. There is a nonlinear, or U-shaped relationship when full range of adult ages are included. Which showed a lenient sentence for youthful (18-20) compared to young adult (21-29). Since judges see the youthful as vulnerable and more likely to get harmed during imprisonment. These findings of age, plus gender and race suggest the importance they have on sentencing.

There are three focal concerns that can influence a judge and other court actors’ decisions in sentencing decisions: blameworthiness, protection of the community, and practical constraints and consequences. Furthermore, many findings expressed that young black offenders are less likely to be harmed during

The three main findings are the influence age has on sentence severity is dependent to gender. Second, the influence of race on sentencing is contextualized by age for male, but not females. Thirdly, young adult Black males receive harsher punishment than any gender, race, or age combined. Also, findings show that the focal concerns make an impact on a judge decision since the three statues are taken in consideration. This research reveals the existence of key independent and collaborating effects of race, gender, and age in sentencing decisions. Race, gender, and age can make an impact on decision making, however, combined can effect a defendants sentencing outcome majorly. These findings will set up for further research to examine how race effects may be mediated by other factors. Finally this article expressed how significant race, gender, and age can have on a defendant’s outcome in the American society.

Critical