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Postmodern critical criminology essay
Elements of conflict theory and its contribution to social behaviour
Elements of conflict theory and its contribution to social behaviour
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Question 1: Arrigos’ Three Propositions of Postmodernism
In criminology, postmodernism implies to the belief that crime is not only the result of social interaction in an area (a foundation of most conflicting theories in criminology), but also a part of the outcome will be influenced by the social aspect. According to Arrigo, the three key issues that inform postmodernism and critical criminology enterprise include one, the centrality of language which is the social human aspect and reality of life is influenced by communication. This is in terms of written and spoken word. Though language is an obstacle in communication due to dissimilarity in culture and ethnicity, it contains values that define human interactions, who we are and institutions
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History and culture puts man at the epitomes, being the head in all life aspects. Man is considered head of the house, giving the male gender superiority over female gender in life. This belief has influenced position of women in the society and even places of work.
Third, gender relations and constructs of masculinity and femininity are not symmetrical but are based on an organizing principle of men’s superiority and social and political-economic dominance over women (Daly, 1988). Example, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) does not take into account the adequate measure of unpaid labor which include housework and childcare performed by women in the society.
Lastly, Systems of knowledge reflect men’s views of the natural and social world; the production of knowledge is gendered (Daly, 1988). Women are underrepresented in academia and in policy areas of think tanks. Women should be at the center of intellectual inquiry, not peripheral, invisible, or appendages to men (Daly, 1988). It’s upon women in the society to recognize their contribution in life and own up to the task. This can be through taking up responsibilities equal to the male gender.
Question 3: Laub and Sampson aspects to the process of desistance during
In the past there were many biases against women and their lack of abilities compared to men. Although the male perspective has changed over the past few centuries, there are many feminists who still fight for ...
If women lack intelligence and cannot be a scientist, then what should they be? If they can’t act intelligent, then how should they act? Woman should stick to their society roles and stay away from thinking the way a male is expected to think. A woman thinking scientifically is considered to be thinking like a man (Keller 77). Keller’s statement explains that science is considered to be a male subject. It is not appropriate for females to think scientifically. Women then begin to get treated differently because they are not meeting society’s
“In the United States and several other countries, women now actually surpass men in educational achievements” (Josh, “Harvard Summer School”). Some women are more educated and qualified for most
“Ultimately, women have become dependent on men” to perform simple tasks and for resources necessary for survival and reproduction (Lorber, 1994). The two sex-based body types—man and woman—have led to corresponding gender roles and characteristics, which are different lifestyles where certain behaviors are expected based on one’s gender.
For example, males are identified as the head of the household and the provider for the family. This concept affects society because women are told that they should be nurtures and should be dedicated to their children. This shows that women were told that they shouldn’t work and should instead focus on being a housewife. This results in the mother and children being dependent on the father. Men are told that they should provide financial support for the family. Also, men are the authority in the household because they discipline their children. Ridgeway says” Gender beliefs are a continual referent for people’s own behavior and sense of identity in the home, and because household tasks themselves carry a gendered connotation, the performance or non-performance of those tasks can be a symbolic gender display for the person “(135).So, gender beliefs effect on how we view gender in the household because it is based on expectations of gender roles. Moreover, gender in household affects household division because women spend more time in the household. For example, since males are the providers they are rarely at home. They are not able to help with household duties. The mother does all the housework in the household. Also .the mother spends her whole time attending to the children and doing chores. Ridgeway says “One way to see the power of gender as an organizing force in the household division of is to examine that extent to which people sex category alone predicts the amount and nature of the household work they do in comparison to their other identities” (139) .Household division the results would show that the women do more household chores than
Women give up their independence and power to men. This submission reflects the power imbalance in our society. The inequality between men and women is still present in today’s culture and workforce. Men are usually described as strong, rational, courageous, competitive and dominating, while women are perceived as weak, emotional, cowardly, cooperative, and nurturing. This description gives a dilemma of stereotypes and identity towards each gender.
Women and gender studies contribute greatly to our understanding of the social and cultural world we inhabit. Studying the complex issues of this field has instituted many key insights. Two major insights that positively affected our society are the awareness through learning and through this awareness activism that can ensue.
“Postmodern” is a complicated term, and so are “postmodernity”, “postmodernism” and “postmodernist”, and every other term one might come across in the way of evolution. According to Andreas Saugstad (2001) different postmodern theorists may have contrasting opinions and thinkers from different areas may have contrasting definitions of the term “postmodern”. Thus, the postmodern debates influenced the cultural and intellectual scene in many areas throughout the world. These terms have been used in literature, social studies, philosophy, arts and architecture. On the same hand on cultural level, discussions emerged whether modernism was dead or not and what kind of postmodernism was inheriting it. In the philosophical sphere, according to Steven Best and Douglas Kellner(1991), the erupted discussions were also concentrating on whether or not the traditions of modern philosophy had ended, and many theorists began praising a new postmodern philosophy related with Derrida, Jean-Francios Lyotard, Nietzsche, Baudrillard and more. Furthermore, the postmodern debates produced innovative, social and political theories, as well as theoretical struggles to define the multilayered postmodern phenomenon. On the other hand, according to The American Heritage Dictionary (1991) the postmodern can be described as “relating to art, literature and architecture, that reacts against earlier modernist principles, as by reintroducing traditional, classical or modernist elements of style to the extremes.”
It is known for its idealism and focuses on transforming an individual rather than transform society with having a blueprint. However, before transformation can become effective, the individual must first change themselves before trying to change the world(Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Lastly, Postmodern theory appeared in law and criminology in the late 1980's in which it emphasizes three key issues:(1). The centrality of language (2). partial knowledge and provisional truth (3) deconstruction, difference, and possibility. Now, in using language rather it is written or spoken will shape reality. This theory has a lot of power and describing the world in areas of legalese, medical language, or professor-speak are valued over other(Bohm & Vogel, 2011). In terms of postmodernist theory, does not accept the idea of one true interpretation of the law. Therefore, the truth is not certain, however, the world is uncertain and radon. Postmodern uses deconstruction to interpret the assumption and hidden values that are in a particular narrative and to expose certainly privileged. It also seeks to involve other voices for others to understand the world in order to keep them from being dormant and concealed(Bohm & Vogel,
In many cases, women’s achievements are measured according to male oriented standards. I would like to argue with a more diverse approach to this cause. If humanity is comprised of both men and women, and we are equally dependent on each other for humanity’s survival, why are men and women not viewed as equals? These old attitudes are drilled into us from birth. If boys were taught mutual respect as they grew up, gender equality becomes a natural way of life. In the same way girls would need to be taught to set high goals; that they can reach as high as humanly possible. Unfortunately, typically male values and traditions have, over time, shaped the culture in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) fields. This has created, in many ways, a hostile learning and working environment for women. From time immemorial, women have been regarde...
Minas, A. (2000). Gender basics: Feminist perspective on women and men.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.
Postmodernism attempts to call into question or challenge the notion of a single absolute unified master narrative without simply replacing it with another. It is a paradoxical, recursive, and problematic method of critique.
Traditional thinking has understood the world in its totality as including both chaos and harmony. Lovelock's hypothesis gives us a new resolution to this problem by expanding or even relocating creativity from the human intellect to the world. Postmodernism is the return to the mythological-aesthetic reflexion of the world concerning the idea of order and harmony.
Masculinity and femininity are two terms, which have been interpreted differently throughout history. Both the males and the females have responsibilities and duties but these duties differ based on one’s gender. Gender has played a prodigious role in the economy, politics, and the society. Everyone starts making interpretations of the strengths and weaknesses based on one’s gender. These interpretations are not always based on his or her ability but is usually based on his or her gender. Males tend to be judged as extremely strong and unfashionable in terms of appearance. Whereas, females are judged as expensive and very fashionable. Males and females both differ in their abilities and their enjoyments. Fashion, entertainment, and strength are three topics, which are used to define masculinity and femininity in the 21st century.
The roles women typically play in the family may not always be consistent with success in the occupational arena. Staying home to care for a sick child may conflict with an important meeting (Broman 1991:511). Sometimes there has to be a change of plans when it comes to the family. Most people believe that family comes first no matter what. Men 's engagement in paid work fulfills prescriptions of hegemonic masculinity by facilitating their ability to gain status in the public sphere. A man can judge his worth by the size of a paycheck (Thebaud 2010:335). Most research shows that women are more likely to be effected by the household and men are more likely to be effected by their job. Some people feel that the goal is to reach higher on the occupational