Feminism and Criminology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What was a primary focus of first-wave feminism?

Reproductive rights and access to birth control

Sexual liberation and violence against women

Diversity and individualism

Women’s suffrage and property rights (correct)

Which wave of feminism is characterized by the slogan 'The personal is political'?

Second-wave feminism (correct)

Third-wave feminism

Fourth-wave feminism

First-wave feminism

What criticism did third-wave feminism address compared to the previous waves?

Neglecting issues of racialized women and queer individuals (correct)

Lack of political engagement

Insufficient emphasis on workplace equality

Too much focus on reproductive rights

Which of the following did NOT characterize the goals of second-wave feminism?

Child custody rights Signup and view all the answers

What feature was prominent in third-wave feminism?

An emphasis on violence against women and sexual liberation Signup and view all the answers

What does Merton's theory suggest is a primary cause of crime?

Access to legitimate means to achieve goals Signup and view all the answers

According to Pollack's theory, what is the reason that female crime statistics appear lower?

Women are better at disguising or hiding their criminal activities Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of most strain theories regarding gender?

They fail to address gender-specific social issues Signup and view all the answers

What does the chivalry hypothesis suggest about women in the justice system?

Women receive more lenient sentencing due to their gender Signup and view all the answers

How did Pollack's views influence the perception of female criminality?

He argued that the nature of female crime is often not reported or recognized due to societal views Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes feminism?

A set of theories about women's oppression and strategies for change. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of feminist criminology?

It combines inclusiveness of male and female criminality with the influence of gender. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of feminism in challenging societal constructs?

Challenging gender stereotypes and advocating for women's rights. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the history of women's experiences in criminology?

The interest in women's criminality began to emerge significantly in the 1960s. Signup and view all the answers

Which correctional facility for women closed in 2000?

Prison for Women (P4W) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between sex and gender according to feminist theories?

Sex is defined by reproductive organs, while gender is socially constructed. Signup and view all the answers

What types of crimes are most commonly committed by women?

Theft and fraud. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main aims of feminist criminology?

To analyze how crime is influenced by gender and victimization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary criticism of Women's Liberation Theories?

They lack extensive evidence supporting women's liberation increased crime. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does Power-Control Theory primarily focus on?

The influence of parental control in the home on gender differences in offending. Signup and view all the answers

What does contemporary theories in sociology primarily critique?

The inequality in power relations across different social institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of the Power-Control Theory mentioned?

It overlooks racial and class differences that affect family structures. Signup and view all the answers

What shift occurred during the women’s liberation movement according to Freda Alder and Rita Simon?

There was a notable increase in women’s criminal involvement. Signup and view all the answers

What does Fourth Wave Feminism primarily focus on?

Female empowerment and intersectionality Signup and view all the answers

What was a belief held by Lombroso and Ferrero regarding female criminals?

Women are 'doubly' exceptional and biologically inferior Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the criticisms of early positivist theories of female criminality?

They were classist, racist, and sexist Signup and view all the answers

Which movement exemplifies the use of media in Fourth Wave Feminism?

#metoo movement Signup and view all the answers

What does theory aim to explain in the context of female criminality?

How women commit crime and the reasons behind it Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Marxist feminists regarding crime and gender?

They view capitalism as the primary cause of crime and male dominance. Signup and view all the answers

Which feminist approach emphasizes the equal importance of class and gender relations?

Social feminism Signup and view all the answers

How does the gender division of labor impact corporate crime?

It facilitates men's ability to commit corporate crime. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Kimberle Crenshaw coin to describe the interaction of race and gender?

Intersectionality Signup and view all the answers

What does Critical Race Theory primarily examine?

The intersection of race within criminal justice systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the focus of standpoint feminism?

It prioritizes women's unique experiences and perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key issue that Black women face according to recent feminist analyses?

Their experiences are often overlooked in mainstream feminist discussions. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of feminist social theory, what is considered a significant source of oppression?

Intersectionality of race, class, and gender Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theoretical Perspectives on Women's Criminality

Week 2 lecture, January 13th
Quiz #1 released Wednesday after class, due January 20th by 4:00 PM
Quiz will include multiple-choice and true/false questions (10-12 questions)
Textbook opt-out deadline is January 20th
Sign up for accommodations with the ALC
Instructor's office hours are Monday, 2–3:30 PM in RCE251.

Introduction to Women and the CJS (Recap)

Past week's introduction to women and the Criminal Justice System (CJS)
Structure of policing and courts
2000 closure of the Prison for Women (P4W)
Five correctional facilities for women in operation
Criminalized women (most commit theft and fraud)
Incarcerated women
Mother-child program
April 22nd prison riot

What is Feminism?

Feminism is the belief that women and men are different and treated differently
It is the desire to change that situation.
Daly & Chesney-Lind (1988) define feminism as a set of theories about women's oppression and strategies for change
Not a singular concept; various feminisms exist (liberal, Marxist, radical)

Feminism Continued

The world is gendered and built on patriarchy
Sex is biological (reproductive organs, chromosomes)
Gender is socially constructed and learned (e.g., blue is for boys, pink for girls)
Feminism challenges gender stereotypes and advocates for women's rights
Constructs of masculinity and femininity are used to maintain male dominance

Feminist Criminology

Women's experiences and victimization were largely ignored until the 1960s
Freda Adler (1975) – Sisters in Crime: rise of new female criminals
Carol Smart (1976) – Women, Crime, and Criminology: inclusiveness of male and female criminality
Gender as a variable influencing criminal behavior, victimization, and treatment in the CJS
Systems of knowledge reflect men's views (e.g., laws and policies)
Feminist criminology challenges "male-centered" understandings of crime
An intersectional approach is essential

Waves of Feminism

First Wave (1890-1930): Led by white, middle/upper-class feminists focused on women's suffrage, property rights, and family/child custody.
Second Wave (1960-1980): Fought for reproductive rights, equal pay, and the idea that “the personal is political.” Excluded many racialized women and LGBTQ+ women
Third Wave (1990-2010): Responded to criticisms of the 2nd wave, embraced diversity and intersectionality, focused on violence against women and sexual liberation.
Fourth Wave (2012-Present): Centers on female empowerment and intersectionality, using media to mobilize (e.g., #MeToo).

Theory on Female Criminality

Though women commit less crime, theory is needed to understand why and how they commit crime
Theory = interconnected statements and ideas explained through empirical study
Women's behavior has often been ignored or associated with gendered stereotypes (e.g., "good" or "bad" woman)
Early (pre-1800s) views of female deviance were not recognized as crime.

Early Theories Explaining Female Criminality

Late 1800s saw female deviance considered as a crime
Lombroso & Ferrero (1898): Positivist criminologists who believed people are born criminals not made. They published The Female Offender.
Early theories were often classist, racist, and sexist, assuming wealthy white women represented the "standard"
Early theories often pathologized women claiming them as "biologically" inferior, thus unworthy of rights and equality.

Merton and Strain Theory

20th century saw an increased interest in theoretical approaches to understand female criminality.
Merton: Social structures lead people to commit crime
Conflict between goals and legitimate means (strain theory for prosocial or antisocial means).
Most strain theories do not include gender and lack consideration for how women's lives are affected by poverty, cultural expectations, and education.

Pollack and Masked Criminality

Otto Pollack influenced Positivist theories from Lombroso.
Argued that female crime was "masked" by chivalry and leniency in the justice system
Women are more skilled at "masking" or "hiding" their crimes
Attributed this to how women can better conceal their crimes due to the nature of the crime (deceit).

Chivalry Hypothesis

Female offenders might receive more lenient sentencing
Explains the lack of harsher punishment due to societal expectations
Women might be considered to need protection rather than punishment
If they commit crime, they are considered as anomalies.
Critiques ignore the dark side of chivalry.

Women’s Liberation Theories

(1960s and 70s), Freda Adler and Rita Simon argued that increased female participation in the workforce during the women’s liberation movement contributed to an increase in women’s criminality.
Women began deviating from traditional gendered expectations.
Criticism: No notable increase in women's crime rate was observed and most women's crime is not related to the women's liberation movement.

Simon's Opportunities Model of Female Crime

Women's liberation leads to more women working outside the home, granting more opportunities for crime.
Increasing criminal opportunities lead to an increase in female crime rates.

Contemporary Theories

Contemporary theories critique social and structural institutions affecting women differently than men
Looks at power relations, gender, and race.
Embraces intersectionality (interconnected systems of oppression impacting race, sex, class, and other categories)

Power-Control Theory

(1987) by John Hagan/A. R. Gillis/John Simpson
Gender differences in adolescent offending are due to parental control in the home (patriarchal vs. egalitarian homes).
Lower female delinquency if there is a father figure as the strong controller of the family
Equal rates in more equal relationships within the family (e.g., mother and father hold an equal power role.)

Blends Marxist and radical feminist theories
Marxist feminists view capitalism as causing crime and male dominance over women
Radical feminists believe that male power causes all oppression
Social feminism believes that social class and gender are both important to consider
Aims to explain inequalities faced by women.

Messerschmidt and Structured Action Theory

Gendered division of labor ("old-boy networks")
Corporations maintain gender divisions through recruiting members who share similar norms and values
This creates a situation where men have more power in committing corporate crime

Intersectionality

Coined by Kimberle Crenshaw
Combines race and gender to understand how Black women face oppression
Many feminist analyses only look at white women, missing the experiences of other women
Interlocking systems of oppression (race, sex, class) shape experiences

Critical Race Theory

Developed in 1989
Examines the intersection of race within criminal justice systems and laws
Focuses on the exploitation and oppression of people of color
Can be applied in different contexts (e.g., Indigenous peoples, racial discrimination in Canada).

Standpoint Feminism

Major feminist movement asserting women's experiences as central
Useful to understand women's experiences (e.g., victimization)
Used as a way to remedy the problem of women's experience being narrated by outsiders (i.e., cases of sexual assault, incarcerated women)
Aimed at presenting different perspectives

Karla Homolka Case Study

Part of a plea bargain with prosecutors to testify against Paul Bernardo.
Convicted of manslaughter in 1993
Served 12 years in prison and was released with conditions in 2005.
Conditions soon removed.

Karla Homolka as a Victim?

Documentary presents conflicting views of Homolka (victim vs. monster)
Three main narratives:
Battered woman ("damsel in distress")
Mentally unstable ("mad")
Pure evil ("bad")

Karla Homolka Post-Incarceration

Public reaction was intense (some wanted to follow her activities and home).

Next Week

Readings: Chapters 3 and 4
Assignment: Quiz #1 due January 20th, 4:00 PM

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Description

Test your knowledge on the evolution of feminism and its intersection with criminology. This quiz explores key concepts, theories, and historical perspectives related to various waves of feminism and their impact on societal constructs. Dive deep into the roles and perceptions of women in the justice system.