KRM 320 A Chapter 8 notes
Erin Polyblank
CHAPTER 8: THE MODERN
CRIMINOLOGISTS AND THE FEMINIST
PATHWAYS PERSPECTIVE
Learning outcomes:
Examine the most important reasons why modern criminologists ignored
female crime and explain feminist pathways to women offending as a modern
theoretical perspective in an international and South African context (Essay
number 9 – see checklist at the end of the theme).
Modern theories in Criminology almost ignore women entirely.
o Theories were often just made for men and were only tested on male
samples.
Modern criminology is often referred to as the criminology of men.
o In this context, modern theories refer to:
Subcultural perspectives: Crime happens because certain groups
(subcultures) develop their own values that differ from mainstream
society. In these groups, breaking the law might even be seen as normal
or respected. These groups occur as a result of inequality and they
develop codes in order to legitimise their criminal behaviour.
Eg. Cohen’s status frustration theory- Working-class boys who
struggle in school form gangs where they gain status by breaking
rules and rebelling against authority.
Social structure perspectives: Crime is linked to society’s structure,
especially inequality, poverty and systemic disadvantage.
People in disadvantaged positions may turn to crime when they lack
legal opportunities to succeed.
Eg. Merton’s Strain Theory- Society sets goals like wealth and
success, but not everyone has equal chances to achieve them. Some
turn to crime (e.g., theft, fraud) as an alternative.
Social control perspectives: People naturally might be tempted to
commit crime, but social bonds (family, friends, school, work) keep them
in line.
Weak bonds mean higher chances of crime.
1
, KRM 320 A Chapter 8 notes
Erin Polyblank
Eg. Hirschi’s social bond theory- The stronger your attachment
to others, commitment to goals, involvement in activities, and belief
in rules, the less likely you are to commit crime.
Social process perspectives: Crime is learned through interactions
with others. It’s about the process of socialisation – who you spend time
with and what you learn from them.
Eg. Sutherland’s Differential Association theory- People learn
criminal behaviour from peers, like a teenager learning to steal
because their friends do it.
Social conflict perspectives: Crime comes from social and economic
inequality.
The powerful create laws to protect their own interests and control
the less powerful.
Eg. Richard Quinny Social Reality of crime
Labelling perspectives: Being labelled as a "criminal" can push people
further into crime.
Once society sees you as deviant, it’s hard to escape that label, and
you may take on that identity.
Eg. Becker’s Labelling Theory- A teenager caught shoplifting
might be labelled a "delinquent."
o This stigma can lead them to join others who are rejected,
reinforcing criminal behaviour.
Lemit Primary and secondary deviance
Reasons why there is a lack of interest in women offenders:
o The official female crime rate is so low, female crime is considered non-
problematic; and women offenders are not considered dangerous.
o Sociology and criminology are dominated by male sociologists and
criminologists thus it is not surprising that the discipline is one-sided.
They were more interested in youth male offenders.
The women’s liberation movement prompted the development of new
theories focused specifically on female offending
o Since the 1980s, the feminist pathways perspective on crime has emerged
as a dominant focus of researchers in the field of woman offending and has
attempted to correct the male gender bias in Criminology by focusing on
women and girls’ offending.
The value of the feminist pathways perspective on crime:
2
Erin Polyblank
CHAPTER 8: THE MODERN
CRIMINOLOGISTS AND THE FEMINIST
PATHWAYS PERSPECTIVE
Learning outcomes:
Examine the most important reasons why modern criminologists ignored
female crime and explain feminist pathways to women offending as a modern
theoretical perspective in an international and South African context (Essay
number 9 – see checklist at the end of the theme).
Modern theories in Criminology almost ignore women entirely.
o Theories were often just made for men and were only tested on male
samples.
Modern criminology is often referred to as the criminology of men.
o In this context, modern theories refer to:
Subcultural perspectives: Crime happens because certain groups
(subcultures) develop their own values that differ from mainstream
society. In these groups, breaking the law might even be seen as normal
or respected. These groups occur as a result of inequality and they
develop codes in order to legitimise their criminal behaviour.
Eg. Cohen’s status frustration theory- Working-class boys who
struggle in school form gangs where they gain status by breaking
rules and rebelling against authority.
Social structure perspectives: Crime is linked to society’s structure,
especially inequality, poverty and systemic disadvantage.
People in disadvantaged positions may turn to crime when they lack
legal opportunities to succeed.
Eg. Merton’s Strain Theory- Society sets goals like wealth and
success, but not everyone has equal chances to achieve them. Some
turn to crime (e.g., theft, fraud) as an alternative.
Social control perspectives: People naturally might be tempted to
commit crime, but social bonds (family, friends, school, work) keep them
in line.
Weak bonds mean higher chances of crime.
1
, KRM 320 A Chapter 8 notes
Erin Polyblank
Eg. Hirschi’s social bond theory- The stronger your attachment
to others, commitment to goals, involvement in activities, and belief
in rules, the less likely you are to commit crime.
Social process perspectives: Crime is learned through interactions
with others. It’s about the process of socialisation – who you spend time
with and what you learn from them.
Eg. Sutherland’s Differential Association theory- People learn
criminal behaviour from peers, like a teenager learning to steal
because their friends do it.
Social conflict perspectives: Crime comes from social and economic
inequality.
The powerful create laws to protect their own interests and control
the less powerful.
Eg. Richard Quinny Social Reality of crime
Labelling perspectives: Being labelled as a "criminal" can push people
further into crime.
Once society sees you as deviant, it’s hard to escape that label, and
you may take on that identity.
Eg. Becker’s Labelling Theory- A teenager caught shoplifting
might be labelled a "delinquent."
o This stigma can lead them to join others who are rejected,
reinforcing criminal behaviour.
Lemit Primary and secondary deviance
Reasons why there is a lack of interest in women offenders:
o The official female crime rate is so low, female crime is considered non-
problematic; and women offenders are not considered dangerous.
o Sociology and criminology are dominated by male sociologists and
criminologists thus it is not surprising that the discipline is one-sided.
They were more interested in youth male offenders.
The women’s liberation movement prompted the development of new
theories focused specifically on female offending
o Since the 1980s, the feminist pathways perspective on crime has emerged
as a dominant focus of researchers in the field of woman offending and has
attempted to correct the male gender bias in Criminology by focusing on
women and girls’ offending.
The value of the feminist pathways perspective on crime:
2
