Current Volume 9
The Gendered Disparity of Societal Backlash and Moral Outrage against Female Offenders in Kerala
Abstract
This study focuses on the gendered divisions and moral outrages in society against criminals in Kerala, especially regarding how female criminals are perceived by society and the media compared to male criminals. The study utilises the qualitative comparative case study analysis on the famous cases where one can identify the gendered outrage and perception against female criminals who break the gendered norms. Grounded in the framework of double deviance theory and framing theory, this research will help one understand how the female criminals are stigmatised twice for being women and criminals and how they are framed in society. The analysis focuses on media and societal responses to the selected cases, identifying specific linguistic terms and themes used to distinguish male and female offenders, respectively. It also furthers studies how the term “Malayali Manga” or “Ideal Woman” creates a pattern of public shaming, moral judgment, and outrage. Women who are engaging in crimes are often portrayed as deviants who are breaking gendered norms or the morality of society. Through qualitative comparison analysis of such cases, news reports from Kerala will help the study to show the underlying biases in representation, like the actions of making a sensational news report over the female criminals rather than the “criminals” themselves. By comparing these reactions along the gender lines, the study will help to discover the patriarchal mindset in Kerala and how it continues to dictate the feminine values or behaviour, even within the context of the criminal justice system. Setting the findings in the position of the socio-cultural context, the study contributes to gender studies and media discourse, ultimately revealing the patriarchal norms and their influence on the people.
Keywords
Gender, Disparity, Criminals, Patriarchy, Ideal Women
Citations
IRE Journals:
Riza A. N., Dr. Bhargavi D Hemmige "The Gendered Disparity of Societal Backlash and Moral Outrage against Female Offenders in Kerala" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 11 2026 Page 2126-2139 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1717837
IEEE:
Riza A. N., Dr. Bhargavi D Hemmige
"The Gendered Disparity of Societal Backlash and Moral Outrage against Female Offenders in Kerala" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(11) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1717837
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