Katrina Weiss
Journal 10
Reading Content
The purpose of this module seemed to be to revisit different types of deviance and how the deviants themselves interact with their environments.
An article written by Petrunik and Shearing explored the stigma of stuttering. They contend that this stigma is internal and like deviance, not a manifestation of one’s environment. Humphrey’s article on impersonal homosexual encounters explored the world of “Tea Rooms” which are actually public restrooms or other places in which homosexual encounters between strangers frequently occur. Humphrey’s insists that urban designers have caught on to this pastime and are now designing parks etc to deter this deviant behavior.
Thompson and Harred interviewed topless dancers who often refer to themselves at “tittie dancers.” They quote Goffman’s definition of stigma, “any attribute that sets people apart and discredits them or disqualifies them from full social acceptance.” In the case of topless dancers, according to this article, they hid the truth regarding their profession. Thompson and Harred also cite Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralization as useful for topless dancers.
An article by Lemert talks about check forgers and how it used to be a profession or considered more of a white collar or cerebral crime when it was much more difficult to pass checks because the criminals were usually looking to pass a check for an exorbitant amount. Luckenbill’s article on male prostitution discusses a hierarchical process that separates types of prostitutes. Each level is ranked by income levels and risk of arrest. The lowest is street hustling then bar hustling then escort service. Luckenbill’s point was made that career advancement within deviant behavior is easy, thus draws people to and keeps people in the life.
Chesney-Lind is a feminist who develops a model of female delinquency. Her article decussates that research on delinquency has been too narrowly focused on male gang activity. She explores history in which a partnership was formed between feminists and social reformers to improve delinquent girls. Chesney-lind made frequent references to the sexualization of female deviance, and overrepresentation in status offenses. “It has long been understood that a major reason for girls’ presence in juvenile courts was the fact that their parents insisted on their arrest.”
Chapter 10 of the text addresses the Future of Crime Theory. An interesting point made immediately in the chapter is acknowledgement of flawed research. “We should also recognize that lack of support for a theory may tell us more about contemporary research designs and analytic capabilities than it does about the theory.” (pp 283) Winfree and Abadinsky discuss the futility of crime statistics as it relates to predicting the future of crime theory, as statistics only address crime that is reported or observed by authorities. The text discusses several research projects conducted within the last 2-3 decades that have yielded some important information, but were very expensive, time consuming and have since had contradictory research performed. The text next address the important argument between the need for new theories or the improvement and integration of existing theories. Much of this chapter only presents information, and purposefully leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. The text does approach a recent theory named the Control Balance Theory, developed by Charles Tittle. This theory, articulates the different levels of control within human beings’ environments and how surpluses or deficits can cause deviance. John Braithwaite agrees with some and has several suggestions for refinement.
Life-course Criminology is another theory proposed in this chapter. Robert Sampson and John Laub explore the importance of life transitions occurring at the appropriate time and if not, the consequences of deviance. Lastly, the chapter discusses Post Modernism and whether it is a new “paradigm for the study of crime and criminals.” The implications of a postmodern society, says the text “…reflects a loss of stable social identity references and a sense of community.” (pp305) Neo-Marxists propose that Post Modernism is a “historical phase of capitalism.” (pp306)
In the summary of the chapter, the authors of the text leave us with sound advice, “Much work remains to be done, and part of that work must include the development of a spirit of cooperation that transcends the limitations we noted in this chapter.” (pp310) The biggest barrier to the future of crime theory appears to be the disjointedness between criminologists, criminal justice agencies, and the society that must exhibit empathy to elicit that spirit of cooperation.
Internet Content
The website on prisons and prisoners rights discusses the Equal Protection Clause as it applies to the 14th amendment and also the protection of the 8th amendment. However, the article points out that the prisoner has no right to challenge their classification under state law. If in fact prisoner’s rights have been violated, the rational relationship test only is applied rather than strict scrutiny, as it would be with many groups.
The website on check forgers advises on prevention of becoming a victim of check fraud.
The website on “Normal Crime” discusses the social history of labels and the fact that what is considered deviant is constantly changing. The site insists that the social reaction to deviance reinforces recidivism and that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The policy solution according to this website resembles restorative justice or peacemaking: decriminalize, divert, and avoid labeling.
A website in the “White Collar Crime” category is an explanation by Boston College on how they address embezzlement, etc. They insist they pursue these crimes more aggressively through internal audits and punishment.
The medical criminal’s website is for advocacy of prevention of health scams. The site offers an “audit” to check your physician’s practices and sells products for “protection” from criminal medical activities.
Another website on white collar crime discusses the Savings and Loan Scandal and the downplaying of expensive crime in America. The S&L scandal was the most costly in history and the sentences of the criminals did not reflect this. The Government bail out was $1.4 trillion dollars.
The “Denying of Guilty Mind” website discussed anti-trust laws and how they protect consumers.
The next website discussed computer crimes. This site explores laws that apply to sharing information regarding missing children, Homeland Security Act, the Patriot Act and other laws that regulate the monitoring of computer records.
“Perceptions of Drinking” listed a website that addresses the different levels of alcoholism. (this was the only link that I could access) The repentant alcoholic jumps on the “teetotal ling” bandwagon. The sick alcoholic asks for outside assistance to stop, therefore is rarely held accountable for is actions and usually receives alternate drugs to counteract the physical addiction. The enemy alcoholic does not care who is adversely affected by his drinking and reveled in the debauchery that goes along with the excess.
Lastly is the mental disorder website. This discusses the danger of using this label lightly and the fact that geography and/or trends change what is viewed as deviance. This site warns that mental disorders may be an adaptation to a traumatic environment.
So What?
This module attempted to integrate what we learned, what we agree with and where we go from here. The reminder of deviance and the differences of culture, societies and time periods as factors were well noted.
Check forging and embezzlement still is not seen as serious as predatory crime. Police often use check forgers as “snitches” and they “work off” their crime. Embezzlements are frequently not prosecuted; most times the employee is just fired. These most certainly appear to be crimes in which the justice system “blames the victim,” for being lax or careless.
The magnitude of white collar crime is not realized by most people, but more importantly, the lack of prosecution and sentencing equality is even more staggering. This reflects the values and priorities of the people creating the laws and serving in the justice system.
This course has confirmed what I already knew about the criminal justice system and our society’ lack of accountability. Some of the theories reiterated my philosophies about environments, parenting skills and the deficits of hope that most that are labeled deviant have endured. I am not a bleeding heart liberal; rather a pragmatist and a practicing parent. I experienced some of these deficits as a child and would not have made it for the other caring adults I encountered. I also see the deficits in my children’s friends and the things I need to work on as a parent so that my kids stay on the right path. The power of family and self-esteem is acknowledged by some theorists and because of this; I have identified with them and have hope for the future of crime theory.
Journal 10
Reading Content
The purpose of this module seemed to be to revisit different types of deviance and how the deviants themselves interact with their environments.
An article written by Petrunik and Shearing explored the stigma of stuttering. They contend that this stigma is internal and like deviance, not a manifestation of one’s environment. Humphrey’s article on impersonal homosexual encounters explored the world of “Tea Rooms” which are actually public restrooms or other places in which homosexual encounters between strangers frequently occur. Humphrey’s insists that urban designers have caught on to this pastime and are now designing parks etc to deter this deviant behavior.
Thompson and Harred interviewed topless dancers who often refer to themselves at “tittie dancers.” They quote Goffman’s definition of stigma, “any attribute that sets people apart and discredits them or disqualifies them from full social acceptance.” In the case of topless dancers, according to this article, they hid the truth regarding their profession. Thompson and Harred also cite Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralization as useful for topless dancers.
An article by Lemert talks about check forgers and how it used to be a profession or considered more of a white collar or cerebral crime when it was much more difficult to pass checks because the criminals were usually looking to pass a check for an exorbitant amount. Luckenbill’s article on male prostitution discusses a hierarchical process that separates types of prostitutes. Each level is ranked by income levels and risk of arrest. The lowest is street hustling then bar hustling then escort service. Luckenbill’s point was made that career advancement within deviant behavior is easy, thus draws people to and keeps people in the life.
Chesney-Lind is a feminist who develops a model of female delinquency. Her article decussates that research on delinquency has been too narrowly focused on male gang activity. She explores history in which a partnership was formed between feminists and social reformers to improve delinquent girls. Chesney-lind made frequent references to the sexualization of female deviance, and overrepresentation in status offenses. “It has long been understood that a major reason for girls’ presence in juvenile courts was the fact that their parents insisted on their arrest.”
Chapter 10 of the text addresses the Future of Crime Theory. An interesting point made immediately in the chapter is acknowledgement of flawed research. “We should also recognize that lack of support for a theory may tell us more about contemporary research designs and analytic capabilities than it does about the theory.” (pp 283) Winfree and Abadinsky discuss the futility of crime statistics as it relates to predicting the future of crime theory, as statistics only address crime that is reported or observed by authorities. The text discusses several research projects conducted within the last 2-3 decades that have yielded some important information, but were very expensive, time consuming and have since had contradictory research performed. The text next address the important argument between the need for new theories or the improvement and integration of existing theories. Much of this chapter only presents information, and purposefully leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. The text does approach a recent theory named the Control Balance Theory, developed by Charles Tittle. This theory, articulates the different levels of control within human beings’ environments and how surpluses or deficits can cause deviance. John Braithwaite agrees with some and has several suggestions for refinement.
Life-course Criminology is another theory proposed in this chapter. Robert Sampson and John Laub explore the importance of life transitions occurring at the appropriate time and if not, the consequences of deviance. Lastly, the chapter discusses Post Modernism and whether it is a new “paradigm for the study of crime and criminals.” The implications of a postmodern society, says the text “…reflects a loss of stable social identity references and a sense of community.” (pp305) Neo-Marxists propose that Post Modernism is a “historical phase of capitalism.” (pp306)
In the summary of the chapter, the authors of the text leave us with sound advice, “Much work remains to be done, and part of that work must include the development of a spirit of cooperation that transcends the limitations we noted in this chapter.” (pp310) The biggest barrier to the future of crime theory appears to be the disjointedness between criminologists, criminal justice agencies, and the society that must exhibit empathy to elicit that spirit of cooperation.
Internet Content
The website on prisons and prisoners rights discusses the Equal Protection Clause as it applies to the 14th amendment and also the protection of the 8th amendment. However, the article points out that the prisoner has no right to challenge their classification under state law. If in fact prisoner’s rights have been violated, the rational relationship test only is applied rather than strict scrutiny, as it would be with many groups.
The website on check forgers advises on prevention of becoming a victim of check fraud.
The website on “Normal Crime” discusses the social history of labels and the fact that what is considered deviant is constantly changing. The site insists that the social reaction to deviance reinforces recidivism and that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The policy solution according to this website resembles restorative justice or peacemaking: decriminalize, divert, and avoid labeling.
A website in the “White Collar Crime” category is an explanation by Boston College on how they address embezzlement, etc. They insist they pursue these crimes more aggressively through internal audits and punishment.
The medical criminal’s website is for advocacy of prevention of health scams. The site offers an “audit” to check your physician’s practices and sells products for “protection” from criminal medical activities.
Another website on white collar crime discusses the Savings and Loan Scandal and the downplaying of expensive crime in America. The S&L scandal was the most costly in history and the sentences of the criminals did not reflect this. The Government bail out was $1.4 trillion dollars.
The “Denying of Guilty Mind” website discussed anti-trust laws and how they protect consumers.
The next website discussed computer crimes. This site explores laws that apply to sharing information regarding missing children, Homeland Security Act, the Patriot Act and other laws that regulate the monitoring of computer records.
“Perceptions of Drinking” listed a website that addresses the different levels of alcoholism. (this was the only link that I could access) The repentant alcoholic jumps on the “teetotal ling” bandwagon. The sick alcoholic asks for outside assistance to stop, therefore is rarely held accountable for is actions and usually receives alternate drugs to counteract the physical addiction. The enemy alcoholic does not care who is adversely affected by his drinking and reveled in the debauchery that goes along with the excess.
Lastly is the mental disorder website. This discusses the danger of using this label lightly and the fact that geography and/or trends change what is viewed as deviance. This site warns that mental disorders may be an adaptation to a traumatic environment.
So What?
This module attempted to integrate what we learned, what we agree with and where we go from here. The reminder of deviance and the differences of culture, societies and time periods as factors were well noted.
Check forging and embezzlement still is not seen as serious as predatory crime. Police often use check forgers as “snitches” and they “work off” their crime. Embezzlements are frequently not prosecuted; most times the employee is just fired. These most certainly appear to be crimes in which the justice system “blames the victim,” for being lax or careless.
The magnitude of white collar crime is not realized by most people, but more importantly, the lack of prosecution and sentencing equality is even more staggering. This reflects the values and priorities of the people creating the laws and serving in the justice system.
This course has confirmed what I already knew about the criminal justice system and our society’ lack of accountability. Some of the theories reiterated my philosophies about environments, parenting skills and the deficits of hope that most that are labeled deviant have endured. I am not a bleeding heart liberal; rather a pragmatist and a practicing parent. I experienced some of these deficits as a child and would not have made it for the other caring adults I encountered. I also see the deficits in my children’s friends and the things I need to work on as a parent so that my kids stay on the right path. The power of family and self-esteem is acknowledged by some theorists and because of this; I have identified with them and have hope for the future of crime theory.
