Power-Control Theory Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What body of theories does power-control theory fall under?

Critical feminist perspectives

Basic assumptions of critical feminist theories include: 1. Criminology is overly focused on ____, 2. Gender is a product of history and culture.

men

Which of the following is NOT a key component and assumption of power-control theory?

Gender roles are completely ignored in homes (correct)

There is a link between structural patriarchy and parenting styles

Boys and girls grow up in households with gender imbalances

Mothers gain power relative to husband, and daughters gain power relative to sons

In patriarchal homes, girls are tightly controlled by their mothers while boys have less supervision.

True Signup and view all the answers

In egalitarian homes, girls engage in less delinquency compared to boys.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of power-control theory?

Demonstrates limitations of mainstream criminology Signup and view all the answers

A weakness of power-control theory is its limited empirical support and failure to address factors ____.

other than gender Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Power-Control Theory Overview

Falls under critical feminist perspectives, examining the intersection of gender and crime.

Basic Assumptions of Critical Feminist Theories

Emphasis on the male-centric focus in criminology.
Gender dynamics are shaped by historical and cultural contexts.
Gender significantly influences the structure and function of social institutions.
Male experiences serve as the benchmark for understanding gender differences.
Advocates for prioritizing women's experiences and perspectives in criminological research.

Key Components of Power-Control Theory

Gender imbalances in households affect the upbringing of boys and girls.
Parental behavior, influenced by gender authority structures, shapes children's development.
Structural patriarchy directly correlates with nurturing styles and discipline methods.
Daughters experience power gains relative to their brothers as mothers assert more authority.

Dynamics in Patriarchal Homes

Boys experience less parental supervision, leading to higher crime involvement.
Girls face stricter control from mothers, limiting their delinquency.
Fathers model aggressive behaviors, rewarded in professional settings, impacting boys’ socialization.

Dynamics in Egalitarian Homes

Increased equality in supervision leads to higher rates of delinquency among girls.
Mothers, more engaged in the workforce, impart lessons in risk-taking to daughters.

Strengths of Power-Control Theory

Highlights the inadequacies of traditional criminological approaches in addressing gender disparities.

Weaknesses of Power-Control Theory

Lacks substantial empirical backing to support its claims.
Overlooks broader circumstances affecting family dynamics beyond household power imbalances.
Fails to account for significant contributing factors to crime aside from gender.
Research suggests similarities in the causes of crime for both genders, challenging the theory's distinct focus on gender differences.

Description

These flashcards explore Power-Control Theory, focusing on critical feminist perspectives in criminology. They cover basic assumptions and the historical context of gender in social institutions. Ideal for those studying gender theories in criminology.