Week 4

Question 1

How is “deviance” socially constructed according to the discussions in class?

Answer 1

Deviance is defined by societal norms, often influenced by white, middle-class, Christian patriarchal values.

Question 2

What does Sangster suggest about the societal conflict reflected in the concept of delinquency?

Answer 2

Children considered delinquents are often in conflict with societal norms rather than just the law.

Question 3

How did the Female Refuges Act affect women perceived as “out of sexual control”?

Answer 3

It allowed for the incarceration of women based on accusations of incorrigibility without formal charges, often reflecting racial and sexual biases.

Question 4

What role did the Children’s Aid Society play in the implementation of the Juvenile Delinquents Act of 1908?

Answer 4

It used the act to regulate the sexual and moral behavior of young women, particularly targeting Indigenous women with racist stereotypes.

Question 5

According to Foucault, what is governmentality and how does it function?

Answer 5

Governmentality is the art of governing, not just through state policies but also through the shaping of individual behavior and self-regulation techniques.

Question 6

How does Foucault describe the relationship between power and the formation of the individual’s identity?

Answer 6

Power is exercised through “technologies of the self” where individuals participate in their own subjectification according to government aims.

Question 7

What does Robin Maynard highlight about state violence and its impact on Black lives in Canada?

Answer 7

State violence maintains and defends social, racial, and economic divisions, with historical roots extending back to slavery.

Question 8

How does the concept of “The Dark Knight” explore the themes of good and evil?

Answer 8

The film blurs the lines between good and evil, illustrating how societal norms shape our understanding of these concepts.

Question 9

What is socialized justice and how does it differ from traditional punitive justice?

Answer 9

Socialized justice focuses on rehabilitation and individualized treatment rather than just punishment, often involving non-legal experts in the process.

Question 10

How does the empowerment narrative function within penal systems according to Foucault?

Answer 10

It positions prisoners as responsible for their circumstances, promoting self-governance, which, if fails, justifies stricter disciplinary measures.

Question 11

What criticisms are levied against experts in the field of juvenile delinquency?

Answer 11

Experts often overlook structural conditions that lead to delinquency, focusing instead on individual moral failures, particularly in sexual behavior.

Question 12

How does the “Neighbourhood Watch” program reflect Foucault’s concept of governmentality?

Answer 12

It encourages community members to regulate each other’s behavior, blending elements of empowerment and surveillance.

Question 13

Discuss the implications of using Batman and the Joker to analyze societal views on crime and deviance.

Answer 13

The characters represent complex figures that challenge traditional notions of morality, showing how societal fears and biases are projected onto ‘deviant’ individuals.

Question 14

How does the Garland text elaborate on Foucault’s theory of governmentality in relation to self-regulation?

Answer 14

Garland discusses how contemporary practices of governance use rationalities and technologies to shape individuals’ behaviors in ways that align with governmental objectives.

Question 15

What are some ways that deviance and criminality are socially constructed on university campuses, particularly for Black individuals?

Answer 15

Racial profiling and stereotyping lead to perceptions of deviance and criminality, affecting the experiences of Black students, staff, and faculty.

Question 16

What does the transition from slavery to freedom signify for Black Canadians according to Robin Maynard?

Answer 16

It signifies a superficial change in status, as the societal perceptions and treatment based on race remained largely negative and oppressive

Question 17

How are empowerment narratives used in the context of corrections and rehabilitation?

Answer 17

Empowerment narratives in corrections are used to encourage prisoners to take personal responsibility for their rehabilitation, but this can sometimes mask the lack of structural support.

Question 18

How does Foucault’s concept of “technologies of the self” apply to modern surveillance practices?

Answer 18

These technologies encourage individuals to monitor and regulate their own behaviors in ways that align with societal norms, effectively internalizing control.

Question 19

What impact does systemic anti-Black racism have on the experiences of Black individuals on Canadian campuses?

Answer 19

It leads to discrimination, marginalization, and a sense of alienation, affecting their academic and social experiences.

Question 20

How do societal norms influence the judicial processing of Indigenous and Black women in Canada?

Answer 20

These norms often lead to harsher penalties and biased treatment based on racial and gender stereotypes.

Question 21

What role does the media play in shaping public perceptions of crime and deviance?

Answer 21

The media can perpetuate stereotypes and influence public opinion, often sensationalizing crime and reinforcing racial and social prejudices.

Question 22

How does the concept of governmentality explain the role of non-legal experts in the justice system?

Answer 22

Governmentality expands the role of governance beyond the state, involving various experts like psychiatrists and social workers to shape individuals’ behaviors and decisions.

Question 23

In what ways are penal technologies aimed at reforming behavior reflective of broader governmental strategies?

Answer 23

Penal technologies such as probation and community service are designed to integrate individuals back into society while aligning their behaviors with governmental objectives.

Question 24

Discuss the concept of “socialized justice” as a form of governmentality in managing juvenile delinquents.

Answer 24

Socialized justice treats juvenile delinquents with individualized approaches that integrate psychological and social interventions, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment.

Question 25

How do Foucault’s ideas on power and subject formation apply to the treatment of delinquents?

Answer 25

Foucault suggests that power is exercised not just through coercion but through the formation of subjects who are complicit in their own regulation, a concept applied in treating delinquents.

Question 26

What are some criticisms of the empowerment approach in corrections, according to Garland’s analysis?

Answer 26

Critics argue that while empowerment is ideal, it often fails to account for systemic barriers and inequalities that affect the prisoners’ ability to change.

Question 27

How does the concept of delinquency change when viewed through the lens of societal norms and expectations?

Answer 27

Delinquency is seen as less about legal violations and more about deviations from social norms, which can vary widely based on class, race, and gender.

Question 28

How are practices like the “Neighbourhood Watch” indicative of Foucault’s concept of community self-regulation?

Answer 28

They show how communities are encouraged to monitor and regulate themselves, aligning individual actions with broader social and legal norms.

Question 29

What challenges do experts face when addressing structural conditions leading to delinquency, according to the critiques discussed?

Answer 29

Experts often focus on individual behaviors rather than addressing broader societal and economic conditions that contribute to delinquency.