Queering Criminological Theory: A Case for Gender Identity and General Strain

• In Event: Innovations in Queer Criminological Research

Abstract

In their 2014 work, Deeanna M. Button and Meredith G.F. Worthen advocated for an Intersectional General Strain Theory (GST) that could be utilized to explain victimization and offending for ‘LGBQ’ and ‘same sex behaviour’ (SSB) youth. This paper builds on their work and considers gender identity in a continued exploration of GST’s utility for the field of Queer Criminology. Two questions guide this work: (1) Can traditional criminological theories be extended to account for the experiences of gender expansive populations? (2) Can we reimagine traditional theories in a way that overcomes the “add queer and stir” problem? Utilizing the case study of homelessness experienced by transgender individuals, I highlight the unique experiences with strain for those with “non-normative” gender identities and argue that GST can be extended to explain illicit coping mechanisms for this population. As a theoretical framework, GST can be reimagined to combine a critical understanding of systemic oppression with social-psychological explanations of crime. The theory shows promise for Queer Criminology in its ability to contextualize the individual-level consequences that can emerge from structural-level strain (i.e., systemic oppression and discrimination). Critiques of the theory are discussed as well as directions for future queer criminological research utilizing GST.

Author

• Katie Coleman, Queen's University