Rene Denfeld

Many theories try to explain why women commit acts of violence. According to Rene Denfeld, these theories are flawed because of their inherent biases and their artificial separation of male and female criminals. She maintains that such theories—that women are violent as a result of male influence or feminism—are inaccurate. According to Denfeld, most women who commit violence were not provoked by a man. In addition, she argues that incarcerated women are more likely to hold traditional views on gender roles, unlike feminists. Denfeld is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, and the author of Kill the Head, the Body Will Fall: A Closer Look at Women, Violence, and Aggression.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to a study cited by Denfeld, what proportion of women...