Real Housewife Out of Control!

I have mentioned in my previous blogs about the fact that I enjoy watching Bravo TV shows, especially the "Real Housewife" series. In this season of the "Real Housewives of New York City there is a new housewife, named Kelly Killoren Bensimon. Kelly has been described on the show as bland and boring, even though she used to be a top model and was married to the famous fashion photographer, Gilles Bensimon. Viewers have very high expectations for their housewives and do not appear impressed or interested if they are not rude, obnoxious, loud, extremely wealthy and successful, and do not frequent the top clubs in New York City. However, about four weeks ago Kelly was arrested on assault charges for punching her fiance. She was originally charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault, but her fiance does not feel that this is a fair solution. He has complained to reporters and police that she deserves much worse because, he states, "if I had done it to her, I would have been put in jail immediately … My injuries are worse than Rihanna's — and Chris Brown was charged with two felonies." I have a minor in criminal justice and inequality in charges based on gender is very common in the United States. Only recently have more women been arrested because of "mandatory minimum" sentencing laws that do not allow judges to be bias. However, most crimes do not specify mandatory minimums and women recieve lighter sentences than men. When I saw this case on the news I thought it was really sad that Kelly Bensimon will not be given the punishment that she deserves because of her female gender. I also thought it was interesting that now, because she committed a violent act, Kelly is seen by viewers as less boring and bland.