why do men commit crime

explanation

Traditional malestream criminology has focused almost exclusively on male criminality, but has not analysed what it means to be male or masculinity contributes to crime

Criminology has treated male crime as the norm and ignored gender as a factor in explaining crime

messerschmidt

masculinity is something men accomplish depending on their social class, ethnicity and available resources. Hegemonic masculinity – dominant, idealised form including paid work, subordination of women and heterosexuality. Subordinated masculinity – found in groups like gay men or working class / ethnic minority men who lack access to hegemonic norms

white mc youth

accommodating at school, oppositional outside - pranks, vandalism

white wc youth

oppositional in and out of school – toughness, sexist behaviour

black wc youth

low expectations – gangs, violence, serious crime

mc men

hegemonic masculinity – white collar and corporate crime

study

bouncers in Sunderland – combined legal employment with illegal activities. Violence was used to maintain statis and express masculinity