Feminist theory
Beliefs-
Crime and deviance cannot be fully understood without considering gender
Traditional theory’s (Marxist, Functionalist) ignores women’s experiences
Feminists ask: Why do men commit more crime? and why do women commit less?
Types of feminism and crime views-
Liberal feminism
Focus- Gender role socialisation, discrimination and equality
Women are taught to be passive, less likely to be deviant
Argue for legal reform and equal opportunity
Women lower crime rates- Due to less opportunity and gender norms
Radical feminism
Focus- Patriarchy and male power
Crime reflects male control over women (domestic abuse, sexual violence)
Men dominate the criminal justice system, often underreporting male crimes against women
For example rape cases and how victims are treated in courts
Marxist feminism
Links patriarchy with capitalism
Women’s crime often linked to poverty or exploitation (theft for children)
Double oppression- Class or gender
Key concepts and theorys
Heidensohn- Social control theory
Women are more closely controlled at home, in public and at work, so commit less crime
Carlen- Class and gender reals
Women commit crime when rewards for conforming break down- especially working class women
Adler- Liberation thesis
As women become more equal they commit more ‘male’ crimes (violence, white collar) criticised as crime rise mostly among WC women
Pollak- Chivalry thesis
Claims the CJS is lenient on women- This hides gender bias against women in serious cases
Gender and crime statistics
Men commit around 80% of recorded crime
Women more likely to commit theft and fraud
Men dominate in violent and sexual offences
Female crime is underreported or underestimated (domestic violence by women)
Criticisms
Over-focus on women as victims- Dosen’t explain female offending well enough
Some feminists ignore male victimisation (domestic abuse against men)
Adler’s liberation thesis is too simplistic- Ignore social class and race
Chivalry thesis is debatable- Women might commit fewer or less detectable crimes