Simon Winlow's explanation of changing masculinity

Simon Winlow, a sociologist, argues that violent crime committed by males has increased over the past few decades due to evolving ideas of masculinity. He links this to broader economic changes, suggesting that traditional masculine identities have been undermined, leading to new, more crime-prone versions. Winlow's work draws on observations of working-class communities, highlighting how unemployment reshapes male identity.

Key elements of Winlow's argument

• Impact of globalisation - The decline in manual labour jobs in the UK, caused by globalisation, has resulted in higher long-term unemployment among young working-class men, removing traditional ways to achieve masculinity through stable employment.
• Shift in masculine standards - Previously, working-class men could meet societal expectations of masculinity by being reliable workers and family providers. With job losses, these avenues are closed, creating a void in identity formation.
• New forms of masculinity - Unemployed men may turn to alternative ways to build status, such as focusing on physical strength and violent potential, which can lead to involvement in crime.

Winlow's study of unemployed men in Sunderland

• Background - Winlow conducted research observing young unemployed men in Sunderland, a city affected by industrial decline. This study illustrates how economic marginalisation fosters a criminal masculinity.

• Results - The men invested long hours in weightlifting and bodybuilding to develop 'body capital' (physical strength and appearance as a form of personal value). This helped combat the boredom and frustration of unemployment. They then 'rented out' their violent abilities, working as bouncers (security staff at pubs and nightclubs) or enforcers for criminal gangs.

• Conclusions - This new masculinity, centred on violent potential rather than productive work, is more likely to result in criminal activity than traditional forms. It represents a response to economic exclusion, where violence becomes a way to gain respect and income.

Interaction of gender with other social factors in crime

Gender does not operate in isolation when it comes to crime and criminal justice outcomes. Instead, it usually interacts with other social characteristics such as social class, ethnicity, and age. This means that experiences within the justice system can vary based on these combined factors.

Patterns in criminal justice experiences

Working-class teenage girls are more likely to be stopped, arrested, and cautioned (formally warned) by police compared to middle-class girls or Asian girls.

Evaluating feminist explanations of female crime

Feminist explanations of crime, such as Freda Adler's liberation thesis, suggest that as women gain more freedom and equality, their offending rates rise to match men's. The liberation thesis argues that women's emancipation from traditional roles allows greater participation in all areas of life, including crime. However, these ideas have faced significant criticism for oversimplifying female offending.

Key criticisms of Adler's liberation thesis

• Exaggeration of liberation - Critics argue that Adler overstates the extent of women's liberation, particularly for working-class women who often remain in disadvantaged positions with limited opportunities.
• Class-based benefits - The feminisation of the education system and the economy, and the resulting genderquake, have primarily benefited middle-class women. There are few signs of these women engaging in white-collar or corporate crime.
• Motivations for female offending - Most female offenders are working-class and share similar motivations with working-class male offenders. These include poverty, humiliation, powerlessness, envy, and hostility, all stemming from a marginalised position in society, rather than liberation.