Criminology, Gender, and Race: The Necessity of Feminist and Black Criminology

• In Event: Building A Black Criminology (Organized by Division on People of Color & Crime)

Abstract

Criminology has historically exhibited significant gender bias. Yet, spurred by feminist efforts, criminology has become more gender inclusive recently. Research has documented both the bias and gains made by women. However much of this research examines only gender bias, ignoring other factors such as race. This presentation examines gender and racial bias in criminology, conceptualizing the discipline as a Bourdieusian field, characterized by hierarchically arranged positions. A review of key trends in the field finds that though women are present in nearly equal numbers to men, non-white people are a limited presence, and white men dominate positions endowed with the highest amounts of power. Lessons for the future of both feminist and black criminology are considered.

Author

• Meda Chesney-Lind, University of Hawaii