CCJ4663-EXAM 1CLASS NOTESWhat is Gender?Social structure:Organization of society that shapes social behavior and social attitudesEmphasizes the collective (entire group rather than the individual) and social basis for behaviorEx: FSU students are expected to follow norms within that structure (the university)1. Macro-level; 2. Micro-levelSex:The category an infant is assigned at birth based on the appearance of the genitaliaRefers to biological apparatus (male and female)Gender:Masculine and feminine based on socializationWhat it means to feminine or masculine in a particular societySocial, cultural, and psychological traits linked to males and females through a particular contextGender display:Presentation of self as a certain kind of gendered person through dress, cosmetics, adornments, and permanent and reversible body markersGendered processes:The social practices of learning, being taught, and picking up cues for gender appropriate or non-gender appropriate behaviorsChildhood Gender Non-conformity (twin video):= child into opposite gender activityTypically show homosexuality in adulthoodGay and straight people differ in body movement and speechTwins with different sexual orientation shows non-genetic evidenceGenes vs. hormones in rat studiesMore older brothers, more likely to gay by 1/3 chanceTheory=happens in wombGayness increases with right-handednessLarge emphasis on categorization (tend to want to put people into categories)Gender binary:The artificial division of the world into people or things that are “masculine” or “for men” and “feminine” or “for women”What are the implications of the 2 phrases as they relate to the concept gender binary:Consider these phrases:Opposite sexes/gendersOpposite= assumption of someone being on opposite spectrum; someone being the norm versus someone being non-normativeDifferent sexes/gendersDifferent= more than one option, implies a spectrumPluralizing Gender:Gender is fluid and dynamicThere are multiple ways of expressing both masculinity and femininityIdeal types of genderGender and power (Connell, 1980)Hegemonic masculinity: ideal type of masculinity; although they may not demonstrate these ideal characteristics, they are aware of them; macho/tough appearance in menEx: The Rock, Vin DieselEmphasized femininity: women cater to men, show sociability rather than competence, very exaggerated form of femininityMaking Gender Visible:What gender comes to mind when you read the following list of social problems?Gang violence, violence in schools, drug violenceThese are usually associated with malesYouth crime is more gender unspecificTypically social commentators discuss these problems in terms of youth violence. What is problematic about using this term?The term makes it seems as if male and female offenders engage in similar types of criminal patternsNeed gender specific information in order to help one have a better idea of what they are dealing withWomen’s Experience in the CJ SystemThe blurring of lines (ex: Joanne Belknap’s research)OffendersVictimsCJ professionalsExample of blurred lines= CJ professional can also be a victimThere is overlap between categoriesWomen’s Experience in CJ SystemDelinquent girls and women prisoners have high records of victimization that precede their offending behaviorCompelled to crime: The gender entrapment of battered black women (Richie, 1996)Running away from home and drug use are women’s and girls means of coping with and surviving abuse in their homesThese escape options for women and girls who are being sexually or physically assaulted are often illegalHistorical OverviewWomen and girls as both victims and offenders were excluded from studiesIf they were included it was in either stereotypical or sexist waysCriminological theories focuses on menAdd Gender and Stir Approach to developing criminological theoryApproach found ineffectiveApplying male theories to understand female behaviors and experiencesMen are treated as the norm; women are anomaliesContemporary Overview:Research questions about the nature of female offenders:How is the female offender different from the male offender?How should the CJ system respond to female offenders?Research questions about the nature of female victims:How do women experience victimization?How does the CJ system respond to women who have been victims of a crime?Research questions about female workers in the CJ system:How does gender affect the way in which women work within the police departments, correctional agencies, and the legal system?What are some issues women face in these occupations?Official Data Sources:Police recordings-reasonable factor/discretion of officerUniform Crime Report-UCR (1930)Represents crime to known to police, FBIPublished annuallyGood for examining trends over timePart I offenses (index crimes): rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theftIncludes demographic dataAge, gender, race/ethnicity, location (state), region (suburban, rural)Limitations?Not all crimes reported (about 50%)Hierarchy ruleWhen more than one Part I offense is classified, law enforcement must locate the offense highest on the hierarchy and score that offense involved and not the other offenses in the multiple-offense situationPolice recordingPolice discretion in deciding what to recordNo arrests for many crimesOnly asks about 6 crimesMostly a household survey (not many people have landlines anymore)National Crime Victimization Survey-NCVS (1972)Bureau of Justice Statistics50,000+ households (100,000+ people) age 12+Detailed information on 6 types of crimeSituational factorsVictims (race, ethnicity, etc.)Perceptions of offendersIf reported to policeLimitations?Limited number of crimesLittle to no information on victims under 12Non-reportingFeminist CriminologySexism:Oppressive attitudes and behaviors directed at either sexThe discrimination or prejudice based on genderEx: male/father isn’t as nurturingPatriarchy:A social, legal, and political climate that values male dominance and hierarchyFeminism:Bell Hooks, 1984The struggle to end sexist oppressionFor both men and womenPart of a larger movement to end domination in all its formsMore inclusive, don’t devalue/discriminate against menCan me be considered feminist?Yes. Need both men and women to solve issues is society2nd wave of feminism:Focused on sexuality, legal inequalities, and reproductive rightsChallenged the masculine nature of theories of crime, deviance, and social