The Problem with Perry: Harmful female portrayals in television's most popular criminal justice show

• In Event: Exploring Recent Trends in Crime and Punishment

Abstract

Television is an enormously influential part of Americans’ understanding of the criminal justice system. "Perry Mason" is considered to present the criminal justice system at its finest. One historian states, “Perry Mason is in the DNA of nearly every legal show produced since its debut.” Observing the original show as it is re-run even today, the portrayal of women is alarming. Given its first broadcast in 1957, the stereotypes of women are not surprising--these images reflected the time. The truly damaging portrayal of women in the courtroom comes in two unexpected forms—1) the unfounded percentages of women as the accused or actual killers and 2) the nonchalant way domestic violence is approached.
Observing more than 50 episodes of the program's nine seasons, we observed high percentages of “female killers” that bear no resemblance to reality then or now. This was apparently a play to the “sex appeal” of the female villain. We also recorded qualitative data—keeping track of blatant sexism and casual references to domestic violence. We make the case that a show with such reach in criminal justice culture may have planted harmful and lasting tropes that exist in this so-called DNA.

Author

• Beth Ellen Adubato, Saint Peter's University