Gender Analysis of Crime/Violence Miller “Up It Up: Feminist Theories of Crime: Robbery as a Case Study” (P&S 3) 2 Levels of Analysis: 1.Structural – Stratification of status and opportunity on the street 2.Interactional – The routine practice of “Doing gender”  Masculinity & Femininity (Messerschmidt) are reproduced in interaction process Motives and Causes are distinct: What does this mean? Example of a motive? Example of a causes of robbery?

Gender Analysis of Crime Miller “Up It Up: Feminist Theories of Crime: Robbery as a Case Study” (P&S 3) Main Finding: The accomplishment of robbery reflects the structure and process required by gender. Implication 1: Gender influences the pattern and nature of criminal behavior Implication 2: The requirements of the criminal act may be achieved in ways that reflect gendered strategies for doing crime Question 1: How is gender useful in understanding how mugging is accomplished by men? Question 2: Are female muggers doing femininity or masculinity? What are the implications of your answer?

Gender Analysis of Female Crime Maher “A Reserve Army: Women and the Drug Market” (P&S7) Context: Crack Era – War on Drugs Changes in Drug Control Policy Changes in Drug Markets Increased violence (peaks nationwide in 1994) Business is service-oriented (retail) –Create and maintain demand for drugs –Supply products that meets this demand –Also offers auxillary services related to drugs/lifestyle Business is basically Distribution (think Wal-Mart) Violence is a business tool Required for accountability & legitimacy in underworld $ Combined with assumptions about gender meant that ♀ are seen as unreliable, untrustworthy, risky for business Consequences for underworld employment?

Gender Analysis of Female Crime Maher “Women and the Drug Market” (P&S7) Gender Stratification of underworld opportunities: Pink collar, Blue collar and White collar work in the crack market? Services/Positions offered in the Business: Job ladders: What is a reserve army? Lower StatusHigher Status SteerersSelling CoppingShooting Gallery Ops ‘Works’ SalesManagers Street DocsKing Pins

Steffensmeier’s Feminist Theory of Crime

Gender & Gangs Gangs are appearing in more places (>1000) Economic Conditions (deindustrialization, unemploy., pov.) Diffusion of Gang Culture (copycat phenomena) Traditional views ♂ Groups Info on ♀ participation gained from ♂ gang members Prevalence of ♀ membership? 20-40% of gang members Gender composition of gangs 5% all ♀; 60% mixed (♂ dominated); 35% auxillary groups

Gender & Gangs Reasons ♀ become gang members? Social Context (high crime, economic disadvantage) –Gangs provide adaptation skills to community conditions –Exposure to gangs in underclass neighborhoods is high Family factors –Gang involved relatives –Family violence »gangs provide some refuge from violent family »Source of meaningful relationships, bonding, etc. Peers –Status, companionship, excitement, protection, belonging –Popularity, recognition

Gender & Gangs Life in the gang? Enhancement effects of gang membership: Delinquency Drug use ♀ members less involved than ♂ members But… ♀ members more involved than non-gang ♀ & ♂ Gender Stratification – status & opportunity tied to gender violence serious theft drug deals (buys)

Gender & Gangs Consequences of membership for ♀? Ambivalence about delinquent aspect of gang Inconsistent with expectations for femininity Sanctions for gender violations results in a “Double Bind” deviant enough for gang member not too deviant for being a girl Gender Inequality Objectification of ♀ (dating, sexing in, etc.) Victimization by homies Exiting ♀ membership more likely to be adolescent limited Childbirth has gendered consequences

Entanglement of Agency, Violence & law in the lives of Sexworkers (ER8) Most marginalized of all humans? Theories of gender and crime must account for sexworkers experiences. Question: Sexworkers – agents (offenders) or victims? False dichotomy – prostitution is a practice that is actively pursuit of sexual exchanges & routine subjection to violence and other victimization

Entanglement of Agency, Violence & law in the lives of Sexworkers Separate spheres – criminalization of ♀ presence in the public sphere & subordination in the private – sexwork linked to urbanization Criminalization never sought to eliminate sexwork - ♂ demand combined with moral crusades push it to the margins of society Prostitute identity –Inferred from presence, appearance, cjs contact –Absent from customers experiences

Entanglement of Agency, Violence & law in the lives of Sexworkers The law defines some forms of violence as criminal and ignores/supports others – the public/private distinction illuminates this pattern Law does not recognize violence as criminal when victims are located in the private sphere Law is also concerned with regulating sexual morality This combination results in the non-criminal character of violence against women, and especially prostitutes The law assumes that to be a victim, one must be innocent. Known prostitutes are not innocent.

Entanglement of Agency, Violence & law in the lives of Sexworkers Social Context –Economic –Drugs and crime AOD use is important, but cause/effect is ? Family contexts (victimization) Copresent character of starting and continuing ♂ encouragement Negotiation (rather than an individual rational choice) Significance of power dynamics in negotiation Sexwork is not a free choice, but a way to “get by” Negotiations are based on conflict & violence