CRIME AND DEVIANCE: Ethnicity & crime

Question 1

What do official figures suggest about ethnicity and crime?

Answer 1

A link between ethnicity and offending rates, strongest for the black population in the UK. Compared with white ethnic groups in 2013, black groups were:

• Twice as likely to get a caution
• Three times as likely to be arrested
• More likely to be charged and prosecuted, when arrested
• More likely to be sent to prison if found guilty
• Five times as likely to be in prison

Question 2

How can Neo-Marxism be applied to Ethnicity and Crime?

Answer 2

Interested in cultural factors that they say lead to oppression and marginalisation. They do not focus on individuals; their perspective assumes collective responsibility and asserts that issues are ‘systematic’.

Question 3

Neo-Marxist theories on crime and ethnicity links

Answer 3

• Minority groups are negatively stereotyped by the media
• Gov use minorities as scapegoats when they need a distraction
• Those in power whip up ‘moral panics’ about minorities
• Black youths are seen as dangerous or aggressive because the British majority aren’t comfortable with their equality
• There is a ‘hegemony’ in society where traditional slave-owner relationships are being replace with police-criminal relationships.

Question 4

What are the three reasons LEft Realists believe crime is higher in black ethnic groups?

Answer 4

• Marginality: opportunities in education and employment are not fairly given to black people so they resent society and become angry
• Relative Deprivation: black communities are often more deprived; wages are lower, there are fewer amenities, fewer services etc. This means some need crime to survive
• Subcultures: black communities feel isolated and forgotten. Leads to status frustration and strain.