social class and crime Flashcards
What sort of crimes do the public have in their “conscious”, how does this impact which social groups are more associated w crime?
in conscious- street crimes or anti-social behaviour. Understanding “working-class” crime is important methodically as it helps consider crime in both terms of offenders and victims interacts w social lass
What could be the issue with using formulas such as the NS-SEC to classify a persons social class status?
may not acknowledge social mobility
Why are working class crimes argued to be “highly visible”?
crimes they commit are heavily policed, locations are usually visible areas, media’s coverage which informs political and public opinion
How do functionalists explain w/c crime?
w/c are criminal as they lack access to socially accepted norms and values
How do Marxists explain w/c crime?
Brake- crime is a response to capitalist exploitation, however have no impact, labels them as “magical”- illusionary in impact. Society is dependent upon ruling class exploitation of w/c
How do left realists explain w/c crime?
due to relative deprivation, marginalisation and subcultures, the w/c commit crimes.
How do right realists explain w/c crime?
lone parent families have x adequately raised their children, thus under class commits anti-social behaviour. Individuals are responsible for engaging in crime
How does Thornton criticise such ideas?
highlights way in which w/c subcultures are formed. Looked at “chavs”- white w/c groups stereotypes as criminal, characterised by underage drinking and teen pregnancy.
media, politicians and public perpetuate stereotype.
What is Reiman’s concept of selective law enforcement?
inequality is x real source of crime as many do x have access to legitimate means to achieve socially accepted goals, so they utilise legitimate forms to obtain them, way that CJS operates w-in the structures of wider society, poor are always going to be losing out.
Why are the m/c more likely to commit white collar or corporate crime?
different classes being exposed to different criminal opportunity. Marxists- how and why w/c are subjected to more regulation, and imagined as stereotypical criminal
Traditional Marxists- Current construction of crime is framed to create w/c criminals
