Feminist theories

Question 1

How do feminist sociologists explain crime and deviance?

Answer 1

Feminist theorists focus on women’s experiences of crime and the criminal justice system (CJS)
They argue women are driven to C&D for different reasons than men, and that the CJS deals with them poorly by ignoring their differences

Question 2

What does Heidensohn (2012) argue?

Answer 2

• We have a “collective amnesia” on female C&D
• Stereotypes mean women are ignored
• There has been “neglect and distortion” of women’s role in crime, both as criminals and victims
• Society and the CJS are still too patriarchal, and this prevents productive change
• Research and policy are both “by men and for men”
• Sociology fails female criminals and victims with its “malestream” composition and focus

Question 3

What are the issues that Heidensohn (1996) outlines in the sociological study of C&D?

Answer 3

• Academics/researchers are mostly men
• Male researchers tend to identify with “working class rogues”, leading to a macho attitude and stereotypical approach
• Female crime is more difficult to study as it tends to be on a smaller scale and less violent than male crime
• Female C&D is often made up of “hidden offenders”
• Under-reporting, stereotype-influenced treatment by the police and CJS, and seriousness of offences

Question 4

What have Feminist sociologists contributed to the study of C&D?

Answer 4

• Making the case for a focus on women’s experience
• Adapting male theories and making new theories to explain female C&D better
• Highlighting the victimisation of women in research
• Challenging the lenient treatment of female offenders by males in the CJS