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25 American J. Crim. Just. 1 (2000-2001)

handle is hein.journals/acnjrlocm25 and id is 1 raw text is: THE GENDER GAP IN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ATTITUDES: An Analysis of Support and Oppositiont JOHN T. WHITEHEADtt East Tennessee State University and MICHAEL B. BLANKENSHIP East Tennessee State University ABSTRACT: This study examines the gender gap in attitudes toward the death penalty, including attention to global versus specific measures. The study is based on a survey in Tennessee of attitudes toward crime and criminal justice. Specifi- cally, the study examines male and female global attitudes, attitudes toward a life without parole option, reasons that supporters and opponents give for their views, and how specific factors might change the level of support for or opposition to capital punishment. Although majorities of both genders favor capital punish- ment, important differences exist. Implications are discussed. INTRODUCTION Social scientists call the study of male-female differences the gen- der gap. Researchers have found the gender gap useful in examining such diverse topics as voting behavior (Manza & Brooks, 1998; Studlar, McAllister, & Hayes, 1998), homicide victimization (Gartner, Baker, & Pampel, 1990), handgun ownership (Ludwig, Cook, & Smith, 1998), and attitudes about homosexuals (Petersen & Donnewerth, 1998). This study borrows this gender gap orientation and explores attitudes con- cerning capital punishment. Understanding attitudes toward the death penalty has been an im- portant research topic for over a decade. Although research has ? An earlier version of this study was presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Southern Criminal Justice Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. John Paul Wright was instrumental in conducting the Tennessee Crime Survey, the source of the data used in this study. tt Direct all correspond to John T. Whitehead, East Tennessee State University, De- partment of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Johnson City, TN 37614. E-Mail: whitehej@access.etsu.edu. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Vol. 25 No. 1, 2000 © 2000 Southern Criminal Justice Association