Feminist Criminology

Adler and Simon were some of the original proponents of feminist criminology, which explains the difference in crimes committed by women as a result of sociological causes rather than biological in nature.  Feminist criminology points to sexual and economic oppression, disenfranchisement of women, marginalization of women in the home and society and reduced socioeconomic opportunities in a patriarchal society.  Much as the conditions and treatments of African Americans have not completely recovered from slavery, the oppression of women as chattel still causes deep societal divisions.  In the perspective of feminist criminology, crimes committed by women can be explained through gender differentiation in society causes those behaviors.

The 19-Mar-2013 article in the WV Metro News, "Woman Sentenced for Shooting Husband in Hospital Bed"  (http://wvmetronews.com/woman-sentenced-for-shooting-husband-in-hospital-bed/) details the story of Rhonda Stewart, aged 54, who is alleged to have shot her husband in the Intensive Care Unit, in Charleston, WV.  Ms. Stewart claims to have no recollection of the shooting, and appears to have been the victim of systemic and long-term spousal abuse.  According to her daughter, "she has been imprisoned all her life".  Feminist criminology would point to the sexual and social dominance of the husband, and power-control, as described by John Hagan, as introduced through the family class structure creating inequity and struggle.  Gender relationships and differences, from the feminist criminology perspective, would be responsible for the domestic abuse that appears to have been the daily existence for Ms. Stewart, and that ultimately led to her lashing out against her oppressor.

While I believe that there is much we can learn from a feminist perspective of crime, and that social, sexual and power issues created by gender are a causative influence for criminality, I do find that some feminist perspective on crime go too far in demonization of men. However, there is much to be learned from considering the role that gender plays in society and crime.  

My wife is my queen, and I try to honor her, as I hope all men cherish, honor and care for their wife.  Still, I admit that our nuclear family has definite and distinct gender roles, ones which we acknowledge and embrace in some ways, and others we laugh about, when we catch ourselves in a rut.  We recognize that there are different perspectives and views of the world - as a man, I want to kill the bear and drag it back to the cave, so think that my daughters are sharing life events with me so I can "solve the problem", and I've had to realize that they're communicating with me as a therapeutic and healthy way of relating to me as their father.  The criminal justice system has been male-dominated for thousands of years, and only recently has provided for roles for women in criminal justice.  I can see that consideration of a world through a man's eyes, including the world of criminal justice, would tend to focus on solutions that resonate with the male perspective.

Seeing the rich and varied way that family relationships, gender differences and social mores play out across gender boundaries, I can see where a feminist perspective on criminality would provide for insights that were sorely lacking when much of the field of criminology was established.  As we continue to learn and expand the role that feminism plays in our society, I think we will continue to improve the role of women in our criminal justice system -- and hopefully address root causes of crime based on gender inequality.