Feminist Criminology?
The term criminology refers to the scientific study exhibiting various causes, cogent reformation, and prevention of crime committed by the criminals. Thus it is a science which focuses on the crime and the criminals. The term feminist on the other hand refers to a concept or a belief exhibiting equal rights, set opportunities and equity as compared to men, in general.
This Article is an attempt to outline the origin, concept and psychoanalysis of feminist criminology and to understand different theories which support the age-old concept.
Feminist criminology is a theoretical perspective that emerged in the 1970s
and is based on the idea that gender is a fundamental factor in understanding crime and justice.
Feminist criminologists argues that traditional criminology has ignored or marginalized the experiences of women and that a gendered perspective is necessary to analyse and realize the root-causes of crime. It is one of the most essential branches of criminology which tends to emphasize on the ways in which gender shapes crime, victimization, and the criminal justice system.
It tends to ignore or minimize the experiences of women and their unique contributions to the field. Thus, in this legal observation, we will attempt to explore the basics of feminist criminology from a psychological frame of reference.
This branch further recognizes that gender is a social construct that shapes the way individuals experience and engages with the criminal justice system, as in the women who commit crimes are often viewed as violating gender norms, such as those related to femininity and motherhood, and are therefore subject to harsher punishment and stigmatization.
Similarly, women who are victims of crime are often blamed for their victimization, with the focus being placed on their behaviour and dress rather than the actions of the perpetrator. The present article is an attempt to focus upon the key indicators felicitating the age-old concept of feminist criminology whereby highlighting the concept with psychology and ancient to primordial theories.
INEQUALITY & GENDER RIGHTS
Feminist criminology is a branch of criminology that examines the experiences and perspectives of women and girls within the criminal justice system. It emerged in the 1970s as a response to the male-dominated field of criminology and the recognition that women's experiences of crime and victimization were often different from men's. Feminist criminologists argue that traditional criminology has ignored or downplayed the experiences of women and has often perpetuated gender biases and stereotypes. They believe that understanding and addressing gender inequality is essential to reducing crime and creating a fairer and more just criminal justice system. Feminist criminologists have identified several key areas of focus, including the gendered nature of crime and victimization, the role of gender in criminal justice decision-making, and the experiences of women working in the criminal justice system. They have also challenged traditional notions of masculinity and femininity and explored the intersections of gender with other forms of social inequality, such as race, class, and sexuality. Overall, feminist criminology seeks to create a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of crime and justice that takes into account the experiences of all individuals, regardless of their gender
TRADITIONAL VALUES
Further, it has identified a number of areas where gender plays a significant role in criminal justice. For example, women are often treated more leniently than men in the criminal justice system, but they are also more likely to be victims of violence and abuse. Additionally, feminist criminologists have explored the ways in which social and economic inequality, as well as patriarchal attitudes and values, contribute to criminal behaviour and the victimization of women.
Feminist criminologists have also sought to develop alternative approaches to criminal justice that are more responsive to the needs and experiences of women. In toto, this branch has played an eminent role in carving out the methods by way of which the gender shapes criminal justice system and in further advocating for a just and equitable system.
This branch further recognizes the role of intersectionalism in order to shape individual’s experiences related to crime and victimization. Moreso, the concept of intersectionality in itself is sufficient to give reference to the way in which multifarious social identities, like race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality, penetrate deep down into the societal norms to shape an individual's experiences related to oppression and privilege.
For reference, a woman of lighter or darker colour who is victimized may face pele and incomparable provocations in accessing the justice system because of systemic racism and discrimination. From a psychological perspective, feminist criminology highlights the importance of understanding the social and cultural context in which crime and victimization occur. It recognizes that individuals do not exist in a vacuum, but are shaped by their social and cultural surroundings.
Therefore, to understand crime and victimization, we must look beyond
individual pathology and examine the broader social and cultural factors that contribute to these phenomena. Feminist criminology also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and challenging gender-based violence and oppression.
This includes not only physical violence, but also structural violence, such as the systemic exclusion of women and marginalized groups from positions of power and influence. Feminist criminology advocates for a more inclusive and equitable criminal justice system that recognizes and addresses the unique needs and experiences of all individuals, regardless of their gender or other social identities.
Intersectionality:
Intersectionality is a concept that recognizes that social identities,
such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, intersect and interact in complex ways. Feminist criminologists use this framework to understand how multiple forms of oppression intersect to shape women's experiences with crime and the criminal justice system. For example, women of colour may face unique challenges in the criminal justice system that are not experienced by white women.
Masculinities:
Feminist criminologists also explore the impact of masculinities on women's experiences with crime. They argue that traditional ideas of masculinity, such as the emphasis on aggression and domination, contribute to women's victimization and the perpetration of violence against women. Masculinities also play a role in shaping the criminal justice system and the ways in which it responds to women's experiences with crime.
Empowerment:
Finally, feminist criminologists emphasize the importance of
empowerment as a means of addressing women's experiences with crime. This includes empowering women to resist victimization, advocating for policies that support women's rights and safety, and promoting women's participation in the criminal justice system.
Liberal Feminist Theory:
The central claim of liberal feminism is that women experience discrimination and unfair treatment based on their gender. And the "motivation" behind this may be to prevent women from having access to the same chances as men, whether in the areas of politics, careers, or personal life. Criminologists like Rita Simon and Freda Adler have proposed that societal issues, rather than physiological ones, should be used to explain why women commit crimes.
The "liberal feminist theory" is one of the most well-known feminist theories,
particularly in North America. The following issue that has to be discussed is:
"What can be done to alleviate this issue of gender inequality?" The answer, which is "rapid integration" of women into a world dominated by men, is largely non-debatable and quite rational. Giving women equal opportunity and assisting them in assuming positions of influence over national policy entails doing this. Another foundational tenet of this theory is that as women get more freedom, we may see them participating in criminal activity that is comparable to that of men.
It does not, however, currently have any first-hand confirmation. It is clear that women are still only involved in minor crimes, such as stealing and small-scale fraud, and this is due to the feminization of poverty, which is occurring at an increasing rate.
Additionally, the frequency of these offences is much lower than the frequency of crimes perpetrated by men. People who attempt to question the dominant patriarchal worldview of gender roles are viewed as "unruly" women who need to be disciplined.
Feminist challenges in the context of caste and race involve addressing the ways in which caste and race intersect with gender to create unique forms of discrimination and oppression. Thus, feminism and caste are interconnected in India, where caste discrimination and patriarchy are deeply entrenched in society.
One of the main challenges for feminists working in the caste and race context is to challenge the dominant narratives that perpetuate caste and race-based discrimination and gender inequality.
This involves deconstructing the cultural and social norms that underlie such discrimination, as well as acknowledging the ways in which these norms intersect to create unique forms of oppression for women and marginalized communities.
Feminists also face the challenge of creating inclusive movements that recognize the experiences and perspectives of women from different castes and races. This means that feminists must work to create intersectional approaches that account for the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect and interact with each other.
Another challenge is to address the unique forms of violence and exploitation experienced by women from marginalized castes and races. This includes addressing issues such as sexual violence, forced labour, and economic exploitation, which are often perpetuated against women from these communities.
In addition to these challenges, feminists working in the context of caste and race also face the challenge of creating meaningful alliances with other social justice movements. This requires building bridges between feminist movements and other social justice movements, such as those focused on caste, race, or other forms of oppression, in order to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
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Theories of Feminist Criminology
Feminist criminology is a branch of criminology that focuses on the experiences of women and their involvement in crime.
It explores how gender, race, class, and other social factors influence women's experiences with crime and the criminal justice system. Here are some of the key theories of feminist criminology: Patriarchy: Patriarchy refers to a social system in which men hold primary power anwomen are subordinate to them.
Feminist criminologists argue that the patriarchal nature of society is a key factor in explaining women's experiences with crime.
They suggest that patriarchal values, such as the emphasis on male dominance and the devaluation of women, contribute to women's victimization and their marginalization within the criminal justice system. Gendered pathways: Feminist criminologists argue that women's involvement in crime is often a result of gendered pathways.
These pathways may include experiences such as childhood abuse, poverty, and lack of opportunity, which can lead women to engage in criminal activity as a means of survival. Gendered pathways also take into
account the impact of gendered roles and expectations on women's experiences with crime.
Further, in continuance the Feminist Pathways Theory has arguably
contributed to the most important advances in feminist criminologists theory and research. This theory concentrates on the ways in which women's role in society pushes them into criminal lives in an effort to show how female criminality is intricately tied to the experiences in life of women and girls. Meda Chesney-Lind has explained in multiple books and essays how girls' chances are shaped by childhood trauma and a patriarchal juvenile court system, ultimately driving them into unlawful lifestyles.
She contends that, unlike boys, girls' first run-ins with the juvenile court system are typically brought on by status offences like fleeing or participating in sexual behaviour. Girls who engage in these acts are stigmatised as sinful and in need of "correction" due to the patriarchal double standard. In the past, girls and women who engaged in acts that were at best moderately disapproved of by men were institutionalised. In fact, girls accused of sexual "misconduct" are frequently subjected to worse punishments than either boys or girls who are involved in criminal behaviour.
This patriarchal, paternalistic method of socially policing female behaviour is what drives girls into the juvenile justice system. Additionally, it has been overlooked how commonly early sexual practises and running away from the home are the outcome of violence in the home.
Society has reacted by holding abused females to a double standard and labelling them as incorrigible or immoral, rather than taking action to improve their lives. Running away from abusive or negligent parents is one example of an action that may actually be nselfpreserving. By labelling these girls as delinquents, society may be further reducing their prospects of success in life.
This viewpoint also looks at the connection between abuse and drug usage, the primary crime that sends women to prison. Abusing substances is viewed as a coping technique. Alcohol and narcotics are frequently used by girls and women to treat the anguish brought on by past abuse.
This is significant since drug misuse issues are prevalent among jailed girls and women. The most of these "offenders" had also experienced physical, sexual, or psychological abuse in the past. The feminist pathways theory aims to shed light on the links between young women's abuse and exploitation and their later criminal behaviour. It might be said that this strategy dominates modern feminist criminology
Overall, the psychosocial aspect of feminist criminology emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological and emotional effects of gender-based violence and victimization on women, and the need to provide them with the necessary support and resources to heal and recover.
The psychosocial aspect of feminist criminology explores the psychological and social factors that contribute to women's experiences of crime and victimization. Feminist criminologists
argue that traditional criminology has neglected the psychological and social dimensions of women's experiences, instead focusing primarily on structural and legal factors. One key aspect
of the psychosocial dimension of feminist criminology is the examination of women's experiences of trauma and victimization.
Therefore, women's experiences of violence, abuse, and trauma have significant psychological and social effects, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social isolation. These experiences may also contribute to women's involvement in criminal activities, such as substance abuse, as a coping mechanism. Another aspect of the psychosocial dimension of feminist criminology is the examination of women's experiences of gender socialization and the impact this has on their involvement in criminal activities.
Feminist criminologists argue that gender socialization can lead to the development of gendered roles and expectations that may encourage or discourage women's involvement in criminal activities.
For example, traditional gender roles that emphasize women's domestic responsibilities and emotional labour may limit their opportunities to engage in criminal activities. Feminist criminologists also explore the impact of societal and cultural norms on women's experiences of crime and victimization. They argue that social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality and stereotypes may contribute to women's victimization and their exclusion from the criminal justice system.
Overall, the psychosocial aspect of feminist criminology seeks to understand the complex interplay between psychological and social factors that contribute to women's experiences of crime and victimization, and to develop interventions that address these factors in order to reduce women's involvement in criminal activities and to promote their safety and well-being
Feminist Criminology & Psychology
The psychosocial aspect of feminist criminology focuses on the ways in which gender-based violence and victimization affect the psychological and emotional well-being of women. This approach acknowledges that women's experiences of crime and victimization can have longterm psychological and emotional effects that can impact their overall quality of life.
Feminist criminologists have highlighted the ways in which gender-based violence can lead to trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
They have also identified the ways in which these experiences can lead to a lack of trust in institutions and systems designed to protect and support victims, such as the criminal justice system.
This approach recognizes that gender-based violence is not just a criminal justice issue but also a public health issue that requires a multidisciplinary approach to address.
This includes addressing the psychological and emotional effects of gender-based violence on women, as well as providing them with the necessary support and resources to heal and recover. Feminist criminologists have also examined the ways in which gender and mental health intersect in the criminal justice system.
For example, women who have experienced gender based violence may be more likely to be criminalized for behaviours related to their trauma, such as drug use or prostitution. This highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing the needs of women who have experienced gender-based violence within the criminal justice system.
