Criminology and Gender

Term Paper # 100184

Criminology
Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies

This paper examines gender-based theories of crime.

989 words () | 4 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper examines gender-based evaluations of crime. The paper explains the difference between conflict theories and consensus theories and shows how John Hagan's power-control theory of gender and delinquency seems to be primarily a conflict, anti-feminist theory. The paper argues that gender-based theories are a most welcome innovation in the field of criminology, rectifying a profound insensitivity to the fact that women exist and allowing policies that actively combat sexist biases and stereotypes. The paper relates that many feminist theories of crime must be conflict theories, due to the fact that feminism itself is arguably built upon a conflict theory view of the world.

From the Paper:

"In the broadest sense, sociological and criminological theories tend to fall into two very different camps: conflict theories and consensus theories. Criminological conflict theories emphasise the political nature of crime, and view society as being based on conflict, as opposed to consensus. Conflict theories posit the existence of two or more groups in conflict, such as two different classes, or many different groups vying to achieve their own ends. An appearance of consensus is created by using laws to enforce consensus, by for example enforcing the law. On the other hand, consensus theory focuses on the stability of society, and sees the maintenance of this stability as a central endeavour - in which most people participate willingly, while some have to be coerced by law enforcers."

Sample of Sources Used:

Flavin, Jeanne. (2001). Feminism for the mainstream criminologist. In Renzetti, Claire M., Daniel J. Curran and Patrick J. Carr. (2003). Theories of Crime: A Reader. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.: 223-241.
Hagan, John. (1989). A power-control theory of gender and delinquency. In Renzetti, Claire M., Daniel J. Curran and Patrick J. Carr. (2003). Theories of Crime: A Reader. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.: 214-221.
Renzetti, Claire M., Daniel J. Curran and Patrick J. Carr. (2003). Theories of Crime: A Reader. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Williams, Frank P. III and Marilyn D. McShane. (2004). Criminological Theory. 4th Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.