Why do men commit crime? Flashcards

1
Q

Masculinity and crime

A
  • Messerschmidt (1993): masculinity is a social construct and it must constantly be achieved
  • Hegemonic masculinity is the one that is desired the most by males: defined through work in the paid-labour market, subordination of women, heterosexism, uncontrollable sexuality
  • Some men have subordinated masculinities: include gay men, the lower class, some ethnic minority men
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2
Q

How does Messerschmidt see crime and deviance?

A
  • As resources that men may use for accomplishing masculinity
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3
Q

What are the different forms of rule breaking to demonstrate masculinity?

A
  1. White middle class: have an accommodating masculinity in schools, whereas outside of school they vandalise, drink and prank others
  2. White working class: less chance of educational success so their masculinity is oppositional both in and out of school (Willis’ The Lads)
  3. Black lower working class: may use gang membership and violence to express their masculinity
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4
Q

Criticisms of Messerschmidt:

A
  • Is masculinity an explanation or a description of male offenders? Risk of a circular argument
  • Doesn’t explain why not all men use crime to accomplish masculinity
  • Overworks the concept of masculinity to virtually explain all male crimes, no matter how big or small
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5
Q

Winlow: postmodernity, masculinity and crime

A
  • Globalisation has led to de-industrialisation which results in a loss of jobs
  • These jobs are those that w/c men used to express their masculinity
  • Winlow’s (2001) study of bouncers in Sunderland: working as a bouncer allowed for paid work, but also the opportunity for illegal activities
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6
Q

Bodily capital

A
  • An organised professional criminal subculture has emerged under postmodern conditions
  • The ability to use violence becomes not just a way of showing masculinity, but a commodity with which to earn a living
  • To maintain reputation and employability, the men must use their bodily capital (bouncers use the gym to get muscular)
  • This is to look the part so that they’re not challenged
  • This reflects the idea that in postmodern society, signs take on a reality of their own independent of the thing that they supposedly represent
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