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
2
Q
How does Messerschmidt see crime and deviance?
A
- As resources that men may use for accomplishing masculinity
3
Q
What are the different forms of rule breaking to demonstrate masculinity?
A
- White middle class: have an accommodating masculinity in schools, whereas outside of school they vandalise, drink and prank others
- White working class: less chance of educational success so their masculinity is oppositional both in and out of school (Willis’ The Lads)
- Black lower working class: may use gang membership and violence to express their masculinity
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
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
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