Crime And Masculinity

Question 1

What does Messerschmidt say about normative masculinity?

Answer 1

It ‘defines masculinity through the difference from and desire for women’ - it is not natural but an ‘accomplishment’ that must be worked at

Question 2

What does Messerschmidt say about the construction of masculinity?

Answer 2

It takes place in different contexts and thus is achieved in different ways - eg bosses may express their power through control in the workplace, whereas those without power at work may have to use violence at home or in the street. Both are achieving. Their normative masculinity

Question 3

What does Messerschmidt say is the cause of male crime,

Answer 3

Achieving masculinity

Question 4

What does Katz say about masculinity in crime?

Answer 4

‘Transgression’ - pleasure from offending - is motivated by the quest for moral self-transcendence in the face of boredom. The offender often ‘discovers…or manufactures an angle of moral superiority over the victim’ to justify his actions

Question 5

What does Lyng (1990) theorise?

Answer 5

Risk taking in crime is ‘edge work’, used to get a thrill and accomplishing masculinity and proving they have control

Question 6

What does Matza say?

Answer 6

Young males are in a state of drift and are thus vulnerable to crime - Katz suggests this makes crime, which gives them an identity, appealing

Question 7

Connell (1995)

Answer 7

Different forms of masculinity - ‘normative’ or hegemonic masculinity is the socially approved/most highly respected type

Question 8

Winlow ‘Badfellas’

Answer 8

Found the ‘nighttime leisure economy’ has led to increased legitimate and illegitimate opportunities. Masculinity is defined by ‘bodily capital’