Chapter 9 Women Crime and Deviance Early Theories

Chapter 9 Women, Crime and Deviance

Early Theories • 1) Attributed crime/deviance to biology (brain differences, psychological differences). • Those earlier theories were biologically reductionist and deterministic. • They exclude deviant acts that “gentlemen” engage in like adultery, going to prostitutes, white collar crime, etc.

Sociological Theories • Deviance defined: • 1) Deviance is an action outside social norms • 2) Deviance involves a labeling process • 3) What is label “deviant” involves gender, race/ethnicity, class and other power relations • For example, pornography…Is looking at it deviant? Which porn? By whom?

Example • 1) Why would financial executives who caused the current financial crisis BALK at forgoing bonuses? • 2) Why do we arrest prostitutes but not the John’s who see them?

Feminist Theories • 1) Some acts are considered deviant when committed by women but not men. Think of examples. • 2) We tend to focus on victims or aggressors without trying to understand the social context that creates this dichotomy.

Women as Criminals: • 1) Women tend to engage in shoplifting, credit card debt, bouncing checks…Why? • 2) Female criminals tend to be subject to “Reproduction of harm” • 3) Judicial system is less likely to prosecute women as harshly as men for crimes defined as “female” but are more likely to prosecute women harshly for crimes defines as “male. ”

Typical Woman Prisoner * from • • • Erin Heil slide Black 30 -34 years of age Convicted of drug offense Held in CA or TX Lacks access to diverse education, vocational or other programs. • Male facilities provide men more opportunities….

Women as Victims • Although men are most likely victims of crime, when women are victims, men tend to be aggressors. • • • Victims: 12 -19 year olds African American

• Men are more likely victimized by strangers • Women are more likely victimized by people they know. • Not until 1990 s that date rape, domestic violence and martial rape became social problems.

Rape 98% of rape victims (according to survey) are women, why? Only 39% of those raped report it, why? Causes of rape: 1) Socialization -- Men taught that sexual aggressiveness is legitimate form of expression. Women taught it’s their fault. 2) Political-Economic Status --Women are more likely to be raped in societies where they are metaphorically are actually perceived as property. 3) Subculture of violence: gangs (including fraternities)