Gender and Crime - Hegemonic Masculinity | A Level Sociology

welcome to this tutor to you sociology topic video on gender and crime focusing on hegemonic masculinity james messerschmitt suggested that one of the reasons for the over-representation of males within crime statistics is due to the nature of males being socialized into behaviors that are more likely to lead to deviating from the norms and values

of society and therefore into criminality master schmidt approached this from a social rather than the physiological angle suggesting that gender was a social construction and not defined by biological traits he argued that the dominant form of socialization for males what he called hegemonic masculinity led them to behave in ways that would lead

them into conflict particularly with other males with similar characteristics and that this would subsequently lead to criminal behaviors whilst defining hegemonic masculinity message mate suggested that males were socialized into a set of expected behaviors and reactions to the behaviors of others males are socialized into being providers for the family and protecting those that they love

which in turn could lead to criminal behavior if their opportunities for providing are blocked in some way and here we can see links to both strain theory and subcultural theories males are also socialized into being dominant particularly physically with physical strength being valued over intellect and this can create forms of conflict not only with their partners

but with others who challenge their assertion of dominance message schmidt also suggested that the dominant form of masculinity was to promote a heterosexual image and is often bordered on misogynistic behavior and a belief that men should be dominant over women according to messerschmitt males are not only socialized into this version of masculinity by their fathers