Why do men commit crime?

Question 1

Masculinity and crime

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

How does Messerschmidt see crime and deviance?

Answer 2

• As resources that men may use for accomplishing masculinity

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Criticisms of Messerschmidt:

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Winlow: postmodernity, masculinity and crime

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Bodily capital

Answer 6

• 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