Citation

Jenkins P, Davidson B. Behav. Sci. Law 1990; 8(2): 161-170.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.2370080208

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Battered women charged with killing their abusers present a dilemma to the criminal justice system. Myths and stereo-types about women and battered women play a prominent role in the courtroom presentation of both defense and prosecution cases. While the prosecution may attempt to discredit the defendant for not living up to the standard of a 'good woman', the defense counters with an equally distorted portrayal of the defendant as ultra-feminine: the passive, helpless victim. Ten court cases of battered women charged with the death of their partners form the basis for a gender analysis of the social construction of the trial setting. This analysis includes the structure of the trial, the language of the trial interchange, the participants in the process, and the role the defendant played in her own defense.

Language: en