Gender, Violence and Crime - Case Study Example

Heading: Gender, Violence and Crime Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Gender, Violence and Crime a. Summary There are an increased sexual harassment cases in Australian Defense Force. Criminology can be analyzed and explained by use of certain theories. Some of the criminology theories include Critical criminology theory; masculinity theory, and liberalism theory. Sexual harassment in Australian military can be explained by the aforementioned theories Society largely determines its members’ activities and behavior and psychology b. c. Introduction Gender, crime and violence are increasingly widespread issues in the Australian society today. This is evident in the numerous cases reported regularly in the country, especially sexual harassment. Sexual assault in work place is a criminal offense in Australia. The paper seeks to explore some of the criminology theories that are useful in explaining and analyzing criminal activities that individuals commit in the society. Some of these theories addressed in the essay include classical theory, rational choice theory, and strain theory. The analysis of the aforementioned theories is based on a case study regarding increasing sexual harassment in the Australian Defense Force. d. Case study In the article “Sexual harassment and assault claims soar in Australian military” retrieved from spacewar incorporating terrawar.com, the Australian Defense Force is experiencing is facing an increase in the number of sexual assault complaints. Acording to the article, the increase in the number of complaints is brought about by greater readiness to report the incidences by victims to authorities. Besides, according to The Australian newspaper, cases of sexual harassment complaints in the Australian Defense Force that include the airforce, navy and army doubled to 122 in 2003. Out of the 51 cases, were complains against men by men, in comparison to 12 homosexual cases in 2002 (Spacewar 2004). Spacewar (2004) says that one of the greatest increased recorded was the number of male sexual harassment against naval women that was 27 by 2003. Out of the 62 cases of sexual harassment in 2003, only seven of them led to official action taken. According to the defense force spokesperson, Brigadier Mike Hannan, the rise in the cases demonstrated more reports than real increase in the cases. He says that though the figures are correct, they show the government’s effort at cultural and educational change. Besides, there are still numerous cases of despite education campaigns. e. Criminology theories Criminology entails the study of why people commit criminal offences and the manner in which they operate under particular circumstances. The understanding of the individuals’ rationale for committing crime is influential in the provision of appropriate rehabilitation measures of the criminals. There are several theories that explain crime, and they are discussed as follows: Feminism and Critical criminology theory This is one of the theories that can be employed in explaining gender crime, and violence. Feminist criminology comprises of several branches including radical, liberal, socialist, and Marxism. Majority of feminist criminology entails analysis of how women offenders are ignored, stereotyped, or distorted in criminology, but there are adequate theories and modification of others. About all the women criminologists that analyze crime and gender have handled gender ratio problem; that is reasons why men more than women are more probable to commit crime (Barlow, 2010, pp. 1-20). According to critical criminologists, crime is viewed as a purpose of the capitalist way of production rather than the social conflict that may arise in any society despite the economic system (Siegel, 2007, pp. 259-260). Besides, the theory asserts that capitalism results in rich and poor people, each group involved in a certain criminality branch. The style of production outlines social life. Since economic competitiveness is the core capitalism, conflict rises and finally destabilizes individuals and social institutions. Additionally, the theory shows that capitalist society, the individuals with political and economic authority control the meaning of crime and the way in which criminal justice structure implements the laws (Zastrow, 2010, pp. 295-300). In relation to the case study described above, the theory can be used to explain the increase in the sexual assaults among men and women in Australian Defense Force. As per the critical criminology theory, capitalism creates economic competition that in turn causes conflicts in the society. This, in turn, leads to destabilization of social institutions and people living in them. This explains the increasing rate of sexual harassment among men and women in the Australian Defense Force. The increased crime rates in the military are a result of social divisions created by capitalist society in the country. These social divisions create conflicts, and that the most powerful in the society are the ones that determine the meaning crime in the society. Masculinity theory This is another theory that can be used to explain gender crime and violence in the society. A critical analysis of what has been documented with regard to the growth of masculinity theory indicates that the theory is placed in broader scale of sociological study, which has been conducted on the subjects of sex and gender. Examining some of the relevant highlights of the way the study in this field grew; social gender construction and sex role were instrumental in the development of feminity and masculinity studies. Masculinity entails a cultural philosophy that defines the suitable role that males should fulfill (Bhosle, 2009, pp. 65-68). Other researchers argue that masculinity is a set of socially and culturally developed variables and behaviors. Unlike the biological explanation of maleness, masculinity involves gender identity that is created historically, socially, and politically. Besides, Husak (2010, pp. 122-125) says that masculinity is a cultural explanation of maleness, and leant by participating in the society and social institution. It is also a constantly evolving process, which requires the individual to be closely connected to cultural and social discussion. Therefore, as per the theory, males are expected to comply with what the social institutions deem as appropriate conduct. Currently, studies recommend that maleness is predicated on people’s willingness to acknowledge rules of conduct; that is exhibit male attributes. The theory also argues that people’s behavior and psychology is shaped by masculinity (Flowers, 2003, pp. 32-35). In relation to the case study about the high rates of sexual harassment in the Australian Defense Force, masculinity theory is influential in the effective explanation of elevated gender crime and violence. The sexual female offenders in the case of Australia Defense Force are inspired by the way society has shaped them. These criminals feel that the society has bestowed them with more power of maleness over feminity; hence their undesired behavior of sexually assaulting their female counterparts. In addition, according to the theory, masculinity is responsible for people’s behaviors and psychology. This could also imply that female sex offenders’ behaviors are caused by the feeling of maleness in them. Besides, there is a possibility that the society and culture highly motivate offenders’ criminal acts. This is because the society portrays females as inferior entities as compared to males; hence making the women to be more vulnerable than men. This further explains why there are more cases of female than male sexual harassment. Liberal theory According to liberalists, the connection between free-enterprise and democracy is problematic as majority of the advantages going to a fewer individuals, which creates a wide gap in both wealth and money. These people then are basically disadvantaged by challenges with the system (Roach, 2006, pp. 103-105). In terms of crime, liberals are in support of the notion that since numerous offenders originate from disadvantageous situations associated to the social organizations and not essentially just an individual of choice; reactions to crime are greatly distinct. This implies that, for instance, prisons ought to emphasize on rehabilitated through work, education, and social skill improvement. This internal activity would occur alongside external rehabilitation, for issues relating to schools, housing, and hospitals among others will be need to be addressed. Additionally, liberalists argue that both parents have equal responsibility for their children’s moral development. The family’s as well as the society’s responsibility is to nurture their children. Nurturing, in this case, entails responsibility and empathy for oneself and for other people. The theory also advocates for authoritative parenting rather than authoritarian parenting. With reference to the increasing cases of sexual harassment in the Australian Defense Force, there increasing crime rate in the defense force can be explained by use of liberalism theory. The events depict that the society and families have ignored their responsibilities of nurturing reasonable members that are morally upright. Therefore, the sex offenders in the military could be attributed to their failure to take responsibility for themselves and other members of the society (Kann, 2005, pp. 27-30). Conclusion There are numerous criminal cases in the society today that can be explained by use of various criminology theories. The essay describes an increase in the number of reported complaints relating sexual harassment in the Australian Defense Force. The criminals involved in these cases can be analyzed by the application of the critical criminology theory, masculinity theory, and liberalism theory. Critical criminology asserts that crime is the capitalist way of production, and that those who are politically and economically strong define crime. Masculinity theory asserts that people’s behaviors and psychology are dictated by masculinity. Liberalist theories argue that both have equal responsibility for their children’s moral development and that people are should take responsibility over themselves and others. References Barlow, H 2010, Explaining crime: a primer in criminological theory, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Md. Pp. 1-20. Bhosle, S. (2009). Female crime in India and theoretical perspectives of crime. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. Pp. 65-68. Bohm, R. (2011). A primer on crime and delinquency theory. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth/CENGAGE Learning. Pp. 7-15. Flowers, R. (2003). Male crime and deviance: exploring its causes, dynamics, and nature. Springfield, Ill., U.S.A: C.C. Thomas. Pp. 32-35. Husak, D. (2010). The philosophy of criminal law: selected essays. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 122-125. Kann, M. (2005). Punishment, prisons, and patriarchy: liberty and power in the early American republic. New York: New York University Press. Pp. 27-30. Roach, S. (2006). Politicizing the International Criminal Court: the convergence of politics, ethics, and law. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Pp. 103-105. Siegel, L. (2007). Criminology. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Pp. 259-260. Spacewar, 2004, Sexual harassment and assault claims soar in Australian military. Spacewar incorporating terrawar.com. Retrieved on April 3, 2012. http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040608074009.z78pn6jz.html Zastrow, C. (2010). Introduction to social work and social welfare: empowering people. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole. Pp. 295-300. Read More