crime + deviance: why do men commit crime? Flashcards
what is one way sociologists explain men’s higher rates of offending?
the concept of masculinity
what are the 2 types of masculinities that Messerschmidt explains?
hegemonic masculinity + subordinated masculinities
how is hegemonic masculinity defined?
work in paid-labour market, subordinate of women, heterosexism + the driven and uncontrollable sexuality of men
what is subordinated masculinity?
have no desire for hegemonic masculinity, include gay men, lower class + some ethnic minorities who lack resources to
how do white m/c youth break rules to demonstrate masculinity?
have to subordinate themselves to teachers to achieve m/c status leading to accommodating masculinity
- outside school - masculinity takes opposing form e.g. drinking, vandalism
how do white w/c youth break rules to demonstrate masculinity?
less chance of educational success so masculinity is oppositional in + out of school
- sexist attitudes, being tough, opposing teachers authority
how do black lower w/c youth break rules to demonstrate masculinity?
may have few expectations of reasonable job due to racism
- may use gang membership + violence to express masculinity
what is the difference in the type of crime m/c men vs w/c men commit?
white m/c men commit white collar + corporate crime to accomplish hegemonic masculinity
poorer groups may use street robbery to achieve a subordinated masculinity
why is Messerschmidt criticised for having a circular argument?
is masculinity an explanation of male crime or just an description of male offenders?
why else is Messerschmidt criticised?
- he doesn’t explain why not all men use crime to accomplish masculinity
- he overworks the concept of masculinity to explain virtually all male crime
how has globalisation led to male crime?
