GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE Sociology GlossaryChivalry Thesis

Chivalry Thesis - GCSE Sociology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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The 'Chivalry Thesis' is a concept in sociology suggesting that the criminal justice system is more lenient towards women due to societal stereotypes and traditional gender roles, which perceive women as less capable of committing serious crimes or as deserving of protective treatment.

This view argues that police officers, judges, and other figures within the legal system often unconsciously exhibit chivalrous attitudes, resulting in women receiving lighter sentences or being more readily excused from criminal activities compared to men.

This theory is particularly relevant for GCSE Sociology students when exploring topics like gender dynamics, crime, and the influence of societal norms on legal outcomes.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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