Chapter 5 Femenist Theories

CHAPTER 5 FEMENIST THEORIES Learning Objectives: At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to be able to: Introduction: I. FEMINIST THEORIES TERMINOLOGIES RELATED TO FEMINIST THEORIES FEMINIST THEORY - This theory attempts to define criminology and criminal justice based upon the experiences, understanding, and view of the world as perceived by women. It tries to counter most theories of criminology that have been developed, tested, and applied by men to men, which have only incorporated women as an afterthought. MASCULINITIES - A trait shared by all men, but one that changes and evolves depending upon the race, economic status, and sexual orientation of any particular man. Crime may be viewed as an attempt to claim, re-claim, or prove the very qualities that make one a man. MASCULINITY THESIS - The view that as women become more equal in society with men, their crime rates will increase. 1. EGALITARIAN FAMILY - Part of Hagan’s power-control theory. A family in which the mother and father occupy similar roles in the workplace and share power and control in the family. 2. PATRIARCHAL FAMILY - Part of Hagan’s power-control theory. In a patriarchal family, the father is typically in a command position in the workplace and runs the family. Mothers are more likely to supervise daughters more closely than sons and encourage risk-taking in sons, more than in daughters. 3. POWER-CONTROL THEORY - A theory proposed by Hagan in which patriarchal and egalitarian families are examined. In patriarchal families, sons are more likely than daughters to be delinquent because sons receive less supervision than daughters. In egalitarian families, the delinquent behavior of sons and daughters becomes more similar. 4. ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION HYPOTHESIS - The belief that economic pressures put on women to support themselves and their dependent children, along with the stepping back of men from their roles of financial support of women and children has pushed women into criminal activity for economic gain. 5. LIBERATION HYPOTHESIS - This view states that as men and women become more equal in society in terms of family, politics, and education, their crime rates will begin to equalize as well. 6. OPPORTUNITY HYPOTHESIS - The view that as women increase their numbers in corporate America, their rates of white collar and corporate crime will increase along with this increased opportunity. 7. PATERNALISM - This view claims that men act in a manner designed to keep women and girls in a subservient position in society. While women and girls may be treated less severely as indicated under the chivalry hypothesis, they may also be treated more harshly in an attempt to keep them from achieving equality with men. 8. SELECTIVITY HYPOTHESIS - The belief that chivalry in the criminal justice, ie lenient sentencing, is extended primarily to white, middle class, privileged women. 9. TYPICALITY HYPOTHESIS - The belief that chivalry in the criminal justice, ie lenient sentencing, is extended primarily to women who commit crimes consistent with the stereotypical view of women, and to women who can still be viewed as “feminine” 10. CHIVALRY HYPOTHESIS - The view that male police officers, prosecutors, and judges tend to have traditional views of women and girls. As a result, the officials are more lenient on the females for committing criminal acts than on their male counterparts. INTEGRATING CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES TERMINOLOGIES RELATED TO INTEGRATING CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES THEORETICAL INTEGRATION - This occurs when two or more theories are combined in such a manner so as to make the new theory explain criminal activity in a more comprehensive manner. It can also be used to combine two competing theories which, upon reflection, were not as incompatible as once thought. THEORETICAL ELABORATION - A term coined by Thornberry in which he states that one begins with a particular theory and extends it as far as one can. THEORY COMPETITION - Logical, conceptual, or empirical comparison of two or more theories to determine which offers the better or best explanation. 1. CONCEPTUAL ABSORPTION - Concepts from one theory are subsumed as special cases of the phenomena defined by the concepts of another theory. 2. CONCEPTUAL INTEGRATION - Concepts from one theory are shown to overlap in meaning with concepts from another theory. 3. CONTROL BALANCE THEORY - The ratio of how much the individual is liable to control to how much he or she is able to control. It operates in the context of four main variables: predisposition, provocation, opportunity, and constraint. 4. LIFE-COURSE THEORIES - These theories attempt to explain better the stability and changes in criminal and deviant behavior through time and at different life stages. 5. NETWORK ANALYSIS - An explanation of delinquency that draws on social learning and social bond theories. It connects the structural characteristics of social networks and interactional processes. 6. PROPOSITIONAL INTEGRATION - This explains how two or more theories make the same predictions about crime or make propositions that can be put together, even though each may begin with different concepts and assumptions. 7. SELF-DEROGATION THEORY - A theory in which delinquency and drug use are explained through the use of social learning theory, control theory, strain theory, and labeling theory. In this perspective, delinquency is viewed as the result of the weakening of one’s self-esteem. 8. SOCIAL SUPPORT - Social integration in a group relationship in which emotional, material, and social assistance is provided to each group member.