Feminist Theories of C&D

Question 1

First Wave

Answer 1

• 1900-1959
• Suffrage, political candidacy, property rights

Question 2

Second Wave

Answer 2

• 1960s-1980s
• Reducing inequalities, de-facto inequalities, legal inequalities

Question 3

Third Wave

Answer 3

• 1990s-2000s
• Embracing individualism and diversity

Question 4

Fourth Wave

Answer 4

• 2008-now
• Combating sexual violence and misogyny

Question 5

Feminism & C&D

Answer 5

• Focus on women’s experiences of crime & CJS
• Argue women are driven to C&D for different reasons than men
• Argue CJS deals with women poorly by ignoring gender differences

Question 6

Heidensohn (2012)

Answer 6

• ‘Collective amnesia’ - stereotypes mean women are ignored
• ‘Neglect & distortion’ of women’s role in crime - both criminals and victims
• Society & CJS too patriarchal - prevents productive change - research & policy ‘by men and for men’
• Sociology fail female criminals and victims with malestream composition and focus

Question 7

Heidensohn (1996) - Problems to be Overcome

Answer 7

• Academics/researchers mostly men
• Male researchers tend to identify with WC rogues - cool & edgyto be in this attitude
• Female crime harder to study - smaller scale than men
• Hidden offenders make up 2/3 of female crims

Question 8

Biological Explanations

Answer 8

• Evolutionary psychology
• Testosterone levels associated with aggression

Question 9

Parsons (1937): Sex Role theory

Answer 9

• Different labelling and reinforcement
• Primary/secondary socialisation

Question 10

Sutherland (1949)

Answer 10

Fewer opportunities and higher risk for women

Question 11

Farrington & Painter (2004)

Answer 11

• Socialisation different among real offenders
• Female offenders more likely to have had interrupted or harsh parenting - abusive mothers, criminal role models

Question 12

Hitchens (2020)

Answer 12

• Conflict theories deny common and shared experience insight
• Men and women can understand each other and should be trusted more