Chapter 1

Radical Feminism

Masculine power and privileges as the root to equality. -Patriarchy relations maintain social systems through the masculine role of labor, finance, and the sexuality of women. -Focus is on oppression, celebrates and values differences between men and women. -Focus on victims rights and advocacy to prevent sexual and physical violence against women. -Criticism: essentialism in the belief that all men are the same and all women are the same.

Socialist Feminism

Class and gender are equal and reinforce each other in society -Synthesis/blending of radical and Marxist feminism -Promote equal work opportunities and special provisions for child-care for employees.

What is the Muncy Act of Pennsylvania?

-Discriminatory legislations -Developed to punish women offenders -Females pleading guilty to or convicted of a crime punishable by prison of one year or more "must" be sentenced to the state prison for women -The sentence would be "merely a general one" and the court "shall not fix or limit the duration thereof" -This is known as intermittent sentencing terms and could last 10 years - those that were in charge of these facilities determined the final destiny of these women.

Marxist Feminism

As private property evolved, males dominated all social institutions. Women's oppression should arise out of structural inequality. -Women that do not work are confined to domestic servitude - family relations and socialization is downplayed. -Domestic violence is related to a women's lack of resources. -Criticism: overuse of economic explanations; lack of scientific proof

Gender Specific Programming

Bloom, Owen and Covington (2003) - gender informed and evidence based practices were designed to reduce recidivism and enhance the lives of girls and women - by using "gender-responsive approaches/programming initiatives." These initiatives included : 1. Acknowledge and accommodate the difference between women and men. 2. Assess risk levels, needs, strengths and develop case planning to address those areas. 3. Acknowledge the different pathways cause women to enter the system. 4. Acknowledge that most female offenders will have histories of trauma. 5. Build strengths and values - recognizing that relationships are key for women. 6. Recognize that most women in the criminal processing system are the primary caregivers to a child and other dependents. Sydney (2005)

5 levels of Sexual Harassment

1. Generalized sexual remarks and behavior directed to a person because of their gender - e.g. comments such as women are vindictive, jealous and/or seductive 2. Situations that involve actual sexual references. Introduction of the request for sexual encounters, blantantly offensive, inappropriate, takes place where the women is a subordinate and the make is superior. 3. Solicitation for sex and promise of some reward. Use of threats may be absent but the harasser uses some kind of organizational authority "payment, raise, promotion, privileges" in exchange for a sexual favor. 4. Notion of punishment is introduced for failure to comply with the request for sexual favors. E.g. illustrated by failing grades, negative job performance, demotion or dismissal from work. 5. Extreme inappropriate sexual behavior - indecent exposure, gross sexual imposition, outright sexual assault. Least common but most devastating.

Liberal, Radical, Postmodernism

1970's and 80's we see feminism evolve into new areas of thought and theory -Liberal: freedom of choice, pass legislation to ensure women's right and change socialization practices for children. -Radical: masculine power and privileges are the root to equality. -Postmodernism: argue for truths taking context into account-justice is the same for all. Criticize other feminists for assuming that women are a clearly defined and uncontroversial interest group.

Rise of Feminist Criminology

Criminal justice is built upon human tragedy. Seen in histories and case studies. Case histories speak of victimization, personal crime, addiction, survival and harsh sentencing. Being identified as a "Female offender" may be a good or may be a bad encounter depending on where you enter and where you land. Many of those that work in the system - wardens, probation officers, social workers, counselors, correctional officers, law enforcement, lawyers worked to empower and help other women. They were empowered so they wanted to empower others. ~ "they wanted more women at the table" Reformers are also seen in academia - they chose to write, research and advocate. Government data and empirical research help to pave the way. Feminist methodology and goals to impact social change was the driving force.

Postmodern Feminism

Criticize other feminists for assuming that women are a clearly defined and uncontroversial interest group. -Argue for truths taking context into account - justice is the same for all. -Focus on power relations rather than patriarchy. -Interested in language and symbolic representation -Criticism: neglect on the topic of oppression in society and for their undermining of the feminist notion of solidarity and unity.

Gender Bias

Different treatment because of gender: the unfair difference in the treatment of men or women because of their sex.

What is the Feminist Empowerment Perspective?

Empowerment theory is a strength based approach and more recently seen in programs for females victims, female offenders and juveniles. This approach works to focus on the strength of the individual not the deficits. This approach is solution focused and works toward the treatability of the offender through the gaining of power and achieving goals. Empowerment theory focuses on the personal, social, political and educational dimensions - thus it is very effective in the criminal justice continuum when focusing on women. The theory is effective both at the micro level (individual) and macro (societal) systems. Examples of Empowerment - lobbying for women's rights; victims rights; protection of women in prison; empowerment of professional women in the criminal justice system such as affirmative action plans.

Liberal Feminism

Freedom of Choice Look to pass legislation to ensure the rights of women and changes in socialization practices so that children do not group up accepting of unequal status -Criticism: reluctance to confront deep-rooted gender inequality as well as to acknowledge the relevance of race.

Feminist Theory

Helped to turn the curve by slightly allowing the conversation and research to begin to improve conditions for women and girls. Feminist research helped to identify a strong link between female offenders and childhood sexual abuse. Historically we recognize that there are many feminist theories with different theoretical perspectives and from various schools of thought.

What is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

Is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

What does gender responsive mean?

It means creating an environment through site selection, staff selection, program development, content and material that reflects an understanding of the realities of women's and girls' lives and addresses their strengths and challenges.

What is Title IX? What did it do for women?

It was enacted into federal law to outlaw sex discrimination in education which includes sexual harassment. For women it did many things, 1.Equal access to higher education - Until the 1970s, some colleges and universities refused to admit women. Before Title IX, this was perfectly legal. Now, more women than men are enrolled in college, and more women are going into careers previously geared toward men in science and technology fields. 2. Career education - Were there boys in your high school home economics class? Girls in the shop class? That wouldn't have been possible without Title IX. Before Title IX, many schools only allowed women to train for careers they found suitable for women - namely, housekeeping. Now, school administrators can't legally dictate which students can take which classes based on gender. 3. Protection for pregnant and parenting students - Until Title IX, it was legal to expel pregnant students. Now, schools are allowed to create separate programs for student-parents, but the programs must be comparable to a normal school curriculum and enrollment must be voluntary. 4. Equal access to academia - Have you ever had a female professor? Before Title IX, she probably would've had to work at a women's-only college, for less pay, and she might not have ever gotten tenure.

What is Paternalism and Chivalry?

Paternalism affected women who presented an image of helplessness when prosecuted for misdemeanors and felonies including homicide Paternalism - a policy or practice of treating or governing people in a fatherly manner, especially by providing for their needs without giving them rights or responsibilities. White women of certain class were given lighter sentences and were sent to reformatories a tradition of Chivalry. Chivalry- the qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.

Empowerment perspectives

Power with Negative Consequences: powerlessness, power imbalances in relationships, inability to make choices about ones life or livelihood. Subordination = factor that contributes to violence which can be institutional or familial/personal/relational. Positive Power = liberating force, fostering personal responsibility for change and to pursue an personal journey from indifference and hopelessness to positive social action. Belief in potential, enforces healthy therapeutic relationships with change agents/those seeking to assist in the empowerment. In criminal behavior = empowerment is seen in taking personal responsibility for one's action and once life. Research tell us the empowerment programs work more effectively than commitment programs....why??? Empowerment approach focuses on lifting oppression from those that suffer from its consequences.

What is a feminist?

Someone who supports the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Definition of Oppression

The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner: aka patriarchal society Relates to race, class, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation - an absence of choice and disempowerment The feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

Why is the paradigm shift so important when working with women discussed in this class?

The paradigm shift is important when working with women discussed in class because it is increasing focus on rehabilitation, treatment to decrease the propensity of recidivism and increased crime and violence. These women typically have had trauma in their lives and need to talk with someone and get help.

What are the pathways/risk factors?

The risk factors or causes the lead women and girls into crime. Typically we see running away, drug and alcohol use as variables- for a majority of these girls and women behaviors are linked to abuse and trauma.

Gender

The state of being a male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones)

Patriarchy vs. Chivalry

a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it VS the qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women

Gender Differences

ascribed by society and expected social norms and roles (Pink vs. Blue)

Sex Differences

biological, reproductive organs, body size, and muscle development and hormones. (body parts)

Intersectionality

interlocking areas if oppression inherently found in race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and race.

Sexism

prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.

What is the JJDP Reauthorized Act of 2002 - why is it significant to feminist criminology?

requires that states provide gender-specific services to prevent and treat female juvenile delinquency with funding available for states that comply and denied for those that do not offer gender appropriate services to girls. It is significant to feminist criminology because it is giving young girls, based on individual needs, the help they need before becoming an adult and entering the criminal justice system.

What is a feminist Perspective?

to see the point-of-view of a woman is the simple way of putting it. - is the promotion of the female gender by doing away with inequality through the examination of women's social roles and life's practice.