Feminist Criminology and What It Missed

Summary

In this episode of the 'Crisis of Crime' podcast, criminologist Rachel Means delves into feminist criminology, discussing various theories of women and crime. She explores Cesare Lombroso's outdated views on female offenders, followed by an analysis of four feminist criminology theories: Liberal, Marxist, Radical, and Cultural Difference feminism. Rachel emphasizes the role of trauma and mental health in women's criminal behavior, highlighting the high rates of abuse and mental health issues among incarcerated women. She argues that addressing these issues is crucial for reforming the criminal justice system and understanding female offenders.

Takeaways

• 😀 Feminist criminology explores why women commit crimes, focusing on how gender influences criminal behavior and the criminal justice system.
• 😀 Cesare Lombroso, an early criminologist, wrongly believed women who committed crimes were genetic inferiors and were seeking masculinity.
• 😀 Despite the rejection of Lombroso’s theories, gender biases still exist in the criminal justice system, especially in sentencing, with women often receiving lighter sentences.
• 😀 Liberal feminism posits that as gender equality increases, men and women would commit crimes at the same rate, though this hypothesis has not proven true.
• 😀 Marxist feminism argues that gender inequality is a form of exploitation, perpetuated by capitalism, and suggests that total equality would result in equal crime rates.
• 😀 Radical feminism connects women's criminal behavior to men's control over them, particularly through crimes like prostitution, trafficking, and drug abuse.
• 😀 Radical feminism also highlights how women's victimization is often not taken seriously in the criminal justice system, leading to further injustice.
• 😀 Cultural difference feminism suggests that men and women are driven by different motivations, with women committing crimes out of a desire to care for others, like family members.
• 😀 The host's personal viewpoint emphasizes the significant role of trauma and mental health issues in women's criminal behavior, particularly in cases of substance abuse and mental health struggles.
• 😀 Mental health problems are prevalent among incarcerated women, with a much higher percentage of women in prison experiencing mental health issues compared to men.
• 😀 The episode concludes by advocating for more focus on mental health and trauma in addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, suggesting rehabilitation over incarceration could reduce crime.

Q & A

What is the focus of this podcast episode?

The episode focuses on women and crime, specifically feminist criminology theories, and the factors that contribute to female criminal behavior.

Who was Cesare Lombroso and what was his theory regarding women and crime?

Cesare Lombroso was a criminologist who developed the positivist theory, claiming that criminals were genetically inferior and could be identified by their physical traits. He believed that women who committed crimes were 'genetic inferiors' and were doing so as a way to show masculinity.

How does gender play a role in sentencing in the criminal justice system?

Women are often seen as accessories to crimes or caretakers, which can result in them receiving lesser sentences compared to men. Judges may also show sympathy towards women, particularly if they are mothers, to avoid separating them from their families.

What is liberal or liberation feminism, and how does it relate to crime?

Liberal or liberation feminism, developed by Frieda Adler and Rita Simon, advocates for gender equality. They believed that as men and women became equal in society, they would commit crimes at the same rate. However, this theory was proven inaccurate, as women still commit different types of crimes than men.

What is the key difference between liberal feminism and Marxist feminism in relation to women and crime?

While both liberal and Marxist feminists advocate for gender equality, Marxist feminists believe that gender distinctions between men and women are a form of exploitation, particularly under capitalism. They argue that the institution of marriage and societal roles perpetuate women's oppression, which contributes to criminal behavior.

How does radical feminism explain women's criminal behavior?

Radical feminism suggests that women's criminal behavior is a result of male control over women. It focuses on how the patriarchy oppresses women, particularly in cases like prostitution, sex trafficking, and drug trafficking, and argues that women are often criminalized for actions done under male coercion.

What is cultural difference feminism and how does it view men and women's criminal behavior?

Cultural difference feminism, as proposed by Carol Gilligan, posits that men and women have fundamentally different motivations for committing crimes. It suggests that women, shaped by an ethic of care, commit crimes out of a desire to help others, such as family or friends, and should not be treated the same as men in the criminal justice system.

Why is mental health an important factor when discussing female criminal behavior?

Mental health plays a significant role in female criminal behavior because many women in the criminal justice system have a history of trauma, particularly sexual or physical abuse. Trauma can lead to self-destructive behaviors and mental health issues, influencing decisions that lead to criminal activity.

How does trauma and mental health relate to the criminal behavior of women, especially those in the juvenile justice system?

Studies show that a high percentage of girls in the juvenile justice system have experienced physical or sexual abuse. The trauma from such experiences, combined with mental health issues, significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in criminal activity.

What role does homelessness play in the vulnerability of women to crime and exploitation?

Homeless women are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, including human trafficking and sex work, due to high rates of mental health issues and a history of abuse. The lack of support and stability increases their risk of being criminalized or forced into dangerous situations.