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Although feminist theory and intersectionality in particular have played a large role in the subfield of sociology of gender, their integration into the subfield of criminology has been less pronounced. Because the most consistent finding in criminological research is that men commit most crime, many areas of criminology continue to focus on men, overlooking women and girls, without ever acknowledging the role of gender (Belknap 2001; Britton 2004; Daly and Chesney-Lind 1988; Morash 2006). Nonetheless, a growing number of feminist criminologists have been at the forefront in advocating for the integration of women and other marginalized groups into criminological research (Flavin 2004; Simpson 1989) and have also been strong supporters for the adoption of intersectionality in criminology (Belknap 2001; Burgess-Proctor 2006; Chesney-Lind 2006; Daly 1997; Morash 2006; Potter 2006). In this way, feminist criminologists have emphasized that …show more content…
Collins’ work is also known for stressing the importance of including sexuality as an identity (and social location) that, in combination with gender, race, and class, shapes individuals lived experiences (Moore 2012). In short, Collins has had a major influence on scholars in the sociology of gender, and other disciplines, who continue to explore new ways to practice intersectionality in research (Choo and Ferree 2010; McCall 2005) and broaden its conceptualizations and uses (Bose 2012; Carbado 2013; Purkayastha 2012). Criminology, however, is still one area that would benefit from the integration of intersectional
Classical and contemporary theory helps to explain gendered crime patterns. The feminist school of criminology argue criminology and criminal theory is very masculine, all studies into criminal behaviour, have been developed from male statistics and tested on males. Very little research is conducted into female criminality, this may be because women who commit crime are more likely to be seen as evil or mentally ill rather than criminal, this is because women are labe...
However in the prospective of radical criminology the main focus was once on only social perspectives but it previously focuses on age, race, and ethnicity. Meanwhile, radical criminology expresses the facts of why individuals such as women tend to commit less crime then the other gender.
The criminal justice system main focus has always been shifted towards male offenders and their responses to male crimes. Women and girls offending lacked attention simply because most crimes were known to be committed by males and not females. Nevertheless, towards the end of the 20th century, female incarceration tremendously took a turn for the worst, leading to more study on women/girls, women and crime offending, crimes, and the criminal justice system in regard to feminist. This increase rate of women incarceration was led in regard to “war on drugs”. It was explained that women’s and girl’s crime and deviance is trigger often by biological factors than by social or economic forces (Daly & Chesney-Lind, 1988). In the late 1960s, Bertrand
Parker and M. Kristen Hefner write about how the intersectionality of class, race and gender affect homicide rates at a macro level of White and African American females between the years of 1990-2000. As well as using an intersectional framework, Parker and Hefner explore how the contemporary economic, social and policy changes can differently affect black and white female homicide rates. The study reveals many interesting facts and shows how intersectionality can change how we understand crime today. Firstly, it is found that an increase in resource deprivation saw a 27% increase in white female offending and a 39% increase in black female offending. Resource deprivation includes the declining number of domestic violence shelters available to women. Some feminist scholars have criticised these domestic violence services as being “based on white, middle-class, female standards” (Parker & Hefner, 2013, p. 247) as they do not take into account the structural difficulties that only minority women face. The fact that these services do not take into account the culturally specific difficulties that minority women face, some women may feel that their only option is to turn to crime. This can explain why the rate of black female offending is much higher than that of white female offending when they are deprived of
He claimed that the statistics seriously under-estimated the extent of female criminality. From an examination of official figures in a number of different countries he claimed to have identified certain crimes that are usually committed by women but are particularly likely to be unreported. Pollak went on to give reasons as to why there should be an under-recording of female crime. 1. He argues that the police, magistrates and other law enforcement officials tend to be men.
When the criminal justice system was established, the main objective was to create neutrality and fairness between the sexes. Even though people might believe that there is no such thing as ‘stereotyping’ in the criminal justice system, it is quite obvious that women are constantly being looked down upon because of their sexuality. In general, women tend to be treated like fragile objects that could break at any moment; the truth is that women can be strong and courageous just like men. Society stereotypes about women and the criminal justice system are no different. Throughout history, certain crimes have been separated into different categories based on their prevalence.
In criminological history, discrimination against women was so evident and naturalised because for centuries, the underlying concept of ‘patriarchy’ or the power of men over women made it acceptable to stereotype women to subordinate women to male power (Carraine et al., 2014). Discrimination against women was maintained by the privileged group, that is men, and operated on multiple dimensions on an individual, institutional, and cultural level (Bell, 2010). On a cultural level, women were believed to be naturally suited to the domestic sphere, and
Crenshaw recognised the insufficient way in which the law addressed matters relating to both gender and race discrimination, and in her investigation of this, conceived the term ‘intersectionality’. The law was unwilling to create specific legislation to provide justice for women of colour, as they were afraid of creating an unfairly advantaged “superclass”. Instead, the law insisted upon treating sex and race discrimination as separate issues. Furthermore, Crenshaw addresses women of colour having the fastest growing incarceration rates of any group and family breakdown as a result of this. These matters that Crenshaw addresses are indisputable and are reflected in the discriminatory circumstances faced by Charnesia Corley. Corley experienced discrimination based on her minority status as an African American woman, potentially of a lower socio-economic status. In her unjust encounter with police, she was charged unusually harshly, and treated without respect to the point where her rights were breached. This article reiterates Crenshaw’s conception of intersectional discrimination and highlights a serious problem in terms of prejudice and the ‘invisibility of the black
Society expects the criminal justice system to provide justice for everyone by protecting the innocent, to punish and convict the guilty, and to rehabilitate them in an attempt to stop them reoffending. It is supposed to give fair justice to everyone, regardless of gender, but much is written that suggests that the criminal justice system is gender-biased. Gender bias was not formed by the justice system, but it does reflect the fundamental conditions and attitudes of society. The cost of gender bias to society, the criminal justice system, and to the people within it is enormous. To discuss if the criminal justice system is gender-biased, an understanding should be reached regarding what is meant by the term
For the course of weeks spent in social issues I have decided to choose my topic on Portraits of Girls in the Criminal Justice System. I believe it’s important to acknowledge that the variety of murders and crimes committed is not only done by men but woman as well commit these crimes. As generations have passed by it has been seen that gender roles have changed woman are now more involved with crimes.
Traditionally, there has been little research on or interest in the impact of female crime in modern society. In addition, juvenile crime rates are on the rise, which combine for a void of research or information on female juvenile offenders. In general, crime rates for women offenders have risen since the 1990's. Increasing numbers of young women are also offending at higher rates. In a 1996 U.S. Department of Justice Report, the number of arrests of young women had doubled between 1989 and 1993. Twenty percent of all juvenile arrests were committed by girls, an increase of 87 percent. However, according to The National Study of Delinquency Prevention in Schools, males are far more likely to admit to criminal involvement than are females. For example, 12 percent of males and 4 percent of females reported carrying a hidden weapon other than a pocketknife in the past year (Wilson, p.150). There are several theories for this rise in crime proposed by modern feminists, including that the introduction of women into traditional male roles prompted women to commit increasingly dangerous and violent crimes. However, this paper will rely on Meda Chesney-Lind's theories from The Female Offender.
Crime and Gender, The great majority of crimes are committed by men, although the United States has the highest female arrest and conviction rate in the world. The gender gap may be influenced by the “chivalry effect” in which male police officers and judges see women’s crimes as less threatening and let them off with a warning. On the other hand, women who belong to stigmatized groups, and women whose behavior challenges gender norms, may be punished more harshly. Some criminologists argue that men’s higher levels of testosterone explain their higher crime rates, but this argument does not account for differences in crime rates by social class. Sociologists argue that the culture of working class masculinity explains why these men are so likely
Evidence suggests women are better at their jobs in law enforcement than their male counterparts. Further, women officers are less likely to use excessive force, less likely to be involved in acts of aggression, and are better communicators in the field (7,6). Why is it so difficult to recruit female officers? Only 21% of sworn officers are females in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2015). Research suggests that women face additional stressors in policing then their male colleagues (7). Dominant constructs of masculinity and gender inequality shape the outcome of how female officers are treated in comparison to their male counterparts. This is done through various factors such as gender roles and policing personalities, enforced by the paramilitary
Women bring unique skills and techniques to policing such as: compassion and understanding during undesirable and traumatic incidents. Although, women do not possess the muscles or physical strength as the male officers, they do have effective invaluable interpersonal skills. Females are viewed as threats by their male peers. Women face prejudice, peer bullying, and sometimes sexual harassment during their career in law enforcement (Criminal Justice School Info, 2014). The male officers believe that women have unfair advantages when it comes to getting promotions or advancements. In actuality, a lot of women in law enforcement are afraid to apply for higher positions due to fear of maltreatment by the male officers. Women who work in law enforcement often feel as if they must “prove themselves” beca...
While all feminist theorists share a common focus on gender inequality, there are differing views on the source of the problem and the ultimate solution. Liberal Feminists Freda Adler and Rita argued that sociological factors, not physiology, best explain women’s criminality. There is a strong relationship between women’s emancipation and the increase in female crime rates. As women become more liberated and become more involved in full time jobs, they are more likely to engage in the types of crime that men commit. Thrasher, a leading exponent of the social disorganization perspective, felt that girls and women committed less crime because they were more closely supervised by boys and men. These arguments lacked any factual support.