Explaining Male Criminality

What is Hegemonic Masculinity?

socially constructed, idealised form of masculinity that legitimises men’s dominant position in society and justifies the subordination of women and marginalised men

What does Messerschmidt argue about masculinity?

masculinity is an accomplishment that men have to work at achieving - sometimes involves criminal behaviour

• isn’t fixed - perform through their actions, shaped by society and culture

Why is Hegemonic Masculinity an explanation for why men commit crimes?

men with fewer legitimate opportunities to achieve or display dominate masculinity may turn to crime

• Crime: gain respect, power, or status - when they cannot achieve these through conventional means like employment

How does Social Positions influence different ways to achieve masculinity?

e.g. middle-class men might express masculinity through professional success - whilst working-class men might do so through physical toughness or street crime

How does Jefferson criticise the idea of Hegemonic Masculinity?

men who have already achieved masculinity still commit white collar crimes

• male criminality cannot be explained through the desire to achieve normative masculinity

How is Messerschmidt’s idea of Hegemonic Masculinity?

• ignores other explanations as to why men commit crimes such as capitalism

• ignorers psychological differences between men

What does Post-modernist Winlow suggest about the Decline of Traditional Working-Class Masculinity?

• many traditional working-class jobs have disappeared

• loss affects men’s ability to express masculinity through hard physical hard

Due to the decline of the Traditional Working-Class Masculinity, what capital has been developed according to Winlow?

men now invest their physical strength, appearance, and toughness as a form of “capital” - body capital

How does is the Decline of Traditional Working-Class Masculinity linked to the Night-Time Economy?

men working in areas like bars, clubs, and nightclubs where physical strength is valued

• may use violence and control to maintain status and express masculinity - position as security staff to sell illegal duty free goods such as cigarettes or illegal drugs

What are the New Forms of Masculinity in Postmodern Society?

• Masculinity is still performed, but now through bodily capital rather than industrial work

• Crime and violence become ways to demonstrate masculinity in these new social settings