How does critical criminology facilitate an understanding of youth

criminality?

A theoretical system known as "critical criminology," which was developed in the 1960s,
questions established theories of crime and criminality. Critical criminology adopts a more
systemic perspective and aims to comprehend the social, economic, and political elements that
influence criminal behaviour rather than seeing crime as an individual issue brought on by
aberrant behaviour. I will be arguing that critical criminology facilitates youth crime with the
means of socioeconomic background, race, gender, and legal element of youths today.

Understanding the fundamental causes of juvenile delinquent behaviour in the context of youth
criminality can be done with the help of critical criminology. Livy Visano provides a rigorous
criminological analysis of juvenile criminality in the book, "Offended and Offending Second
Edition," which throws light on the numerous social, economic, and political factors that affect
juvenile delinquency.

Critical criminology's key finding is that criminal behaviour is not just the result of faulty choices
or moral failings on the side of the individual. Instead, greater social and economic pressures
are to blame for the opportunities and restrictions that young people face. Visano, for instance,
emphasizes that social exclusion and poverty are important contributors to youthful criminality.
When young people lack access to essential resources like education, housing, and
employment, they may turn to crime as a means of survival or to gain status and respect in
their communities. Visano says “As the social structure prevents what the culture encourages,
normlessness emerges and individuals feel compelled to act against their conscience” (2017, p.
26)

The impact of inequality and power on criminal conduct is a crucial issue that critical
criminology takes into account. Young people who commit crimes frequently come from
underrepresented groups that experience prejudice and injustice. “Some Black youth see gang
life as a means to power. Racism can lead to self-hate and self- destruction”. (Alamdar, 2023)
For instance, Visano draws attention to the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in
the criminal justice system, which raises the possibility that systematic racism and prejudice
may be influencing these groups' involvement in criminal activity.

Together with these systemic problems, the importance of young agency and resistance is
highlighted by critical criminology. Instead of viewing young people as helpless victims of their
social and economic circumstances, critical criminology recognizes that they are frequently
active players who fight oppressive structures. Visano notes that some young people engage in
illegal behaviour as a kind of political opposition, as in instances of gang violence or anti-
authoritarian protest, for example.

Critical criminology provides a helpful framework for understanding juvenile criminality that
moves beyond individualistic explanations and takes into account the complex social, economic,
and political factors that affect juvenile delinquency. By focusing on the systemic injustices and
power inequities that underlie young criminality, critical criminology can help us develop more
effective preventative and corrective approaches for juvenile delinquency.

The main finding of critical criminology is that the criminal justice system may contribute to
youthful crime. The misuse of punishment and incarceration as a remedy for juvenile
delinquency, in the opinion of Visano, might further exacerbate the situation by further
marginalizing and stigmatizing kids and teenagers. Critical criminology emphasizes the
importance of community-based interventions and restorative justice tactics that target
addressing the underlying causes of delinquent behaviour and giving young people the
authority to make good changes in their life.

Visano uses this as an example to stress the importance of programs that provide young people
with access to education, job training, and other resources that may help them to transcend
poverty and create long-lasting relationships with their peers and communities. The author also
emphasizes the importance of community-based programs that give students the opportunity
to engage in artistic, musical, and athletic endeavours as well as other positive activities.

In addition to these interventions, critical criminology emphasizes the importance of involving

young people in the decision-making processes that have an impact on their lives. Instead of
imposing solutions from above, critical criminologists favour participatory tactics that give
teenagers a say in the laws and programs developed to address young delinquency. By
including young people in decision-making, we can better understand their viewpoints and
needs and develop more effective solutions that are tailored to their problems and experiences.

Another essential element of critical criminology is the knowledge of the intersectionality of

social identities and their impact on juvenile criminality. It may be more challenging for young
people to negotiate the social and economic institutions that encourage delinquent behaviour
when they are subjected to a variety of forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism,
homophobia, and ableism. Hence, critical criminology encourages an intersectional approach
that takes into account the complex interactions between social identities to affect how young
people perceive crime and justice.

The importance of recognizing the agency and resiliency of young people who have
encountered the criminal justice system is critical to criminology's final argument. Instead of
considering these youth as "lost causes" or "risks to society," critical criminology recognizes
their capacity for growth, change, and positive contributions to their communities. By providing
them with the tools and support they need to overcome the challenges they face, we can help
them mature into valuable and contributing members of society.

In conclusion, critical criminology offers an informative method for understanding juvenile

crime that goes beyond individualistic explanations and takes into account the myriad social,
economic, and political factors that play a role in it. By focusing on the systemic injustices and
power inequities that underlie young criminality, critical criminology can help us develop more
effective preventative and corrective approaches for juvenile delinquency. In doing so, it is
important to take into account the agency and resiliency of young people as well as
community-based interventions, restorative justice processes, participatory methods, and
intersectional analysis. By working together to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency,
we can help young people develop and build bright futures for both themselves and their
communities.
Citations:

Alamdar, N. (March 6th, 2023). [5]. Retrieved

from [https://eclass.yorku.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=2179245].

Visano, L. A. (2017). Offended & Offending: Understanding Youth Crime (2nd ed.). Concord,
Ontario :

APF Press.
According to Visano, 'male crime' tends to be depicted in terms of agency, while 'female
crime' is often interpreted as pathological. Why? In your analysis, account for this
gendered interpretation of crime.

It has been a prevailing issue that women are treated unequally and unethically. It is a world
made up of men in control. The world as we know it for the most part has been observed
through the male perspective. Women and children are only seen as objects of men’s desires.
In more recent years a lot of these issues have been observed and addressed. Even if it is a tiny
minuscule amount compared to the entirety of humanity, there is some progress towards a
better and equal world. In this essay, I will be arguing that the underlying assumptions
between male and female crimes are related to cultural values and the biology of gendered
psychology and institutions.

First and foremost, it's crucial to recognize that our understanding and definition of crime are
social constructions influenced by cultural values and standards. In many traditions, femininity
is equated with nurturing, compassion, and submission. “Women who were maternal were not
criminals, it was women who lacked this instinct” (Alamdar, 2023) whereas power, aggression,
and strength are associated with masculinity. These gendered expectations influence how we
understand and respond to different types of criminal behaviour, which in turn shapes how we
view crime. Male criminality is typically described in terms of agency since men are seen as
active agents who exercise their free will and make sane judgments. Male offenders are held
accountable for their actions since it can be demonstrated that they made a conscious decision
to commit the crime. The assumption that male criminality stems from individual agency is
supported by the observation that men are more likely to commit violent and property crimes,
which are regarded as planned and deliberate acts.

On the other hand, crime committed by women is commonly seen as pathological since it is
believed that women are weak, emotional beings who lack agency and self-control. The general
belief is that psychological or emotional problems, such as mental illness, trauma, or
interpersonal problems, drive female criminals to commit crimes. Female criminality is seen to
be the result of underlying illness since women are more likely to commit nonviolent and drug-
related crimes, which are seen as indicators of underlying mental health or addiction issues.
“Women learn to hide crime because she learns to hide the fact that she is menstruating
lecture” (Alamdar, 2023)
Another factor in the gendered perception of crime is how the criminal justice system is set up
and functions. The punitive paradigm, which prioritizes control and punishment over assistance
and rehabilitation, is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system. This paradigm is
particularly likely to be used to male criminals since they are thought to have more agency and
responsibility for their actions and are more likely to endanger public safety. Female offenders,
on the other hand, are more frequently perceived as victims who need support and care
instead of punishment.

How crime is perceived in terms of gender also depends on socialization and status of men and
women in society. Given that they are taught to be nurturers and carers, women are typically
expected to put the needs of others before their own. This indoctrination may make it harder
for women to assert their own autonomy and make their own decisions. In addition, women
are more likely to endure economic marginalization and have fewer opportunities for education
and work, which can raise their risk of committing crimes. “Men, on the other hand, are
frequently urged to establish their own agency and make their own judgments. Men’s
criminality is seen as them having agency and rationality in their offending” (Alamdar, 2023)
They are socialized to be independent and competitive. Males are also more likely to hold
privileged positions in society, which can increase their access to opportunities and resources.
Men may find it simpler to resist criminal activity and make moral decisions as a result.

The gendered interpretation of crime tends to represent male crime in terms of agency and
female criminality as pathological, depending on a variety of social, cultural, and structural
factors. They include the structure and operation of the criminal justice system, socialization
and status in society, gender-specific norms and expectations, and the kind of crimes that men
and women are more likely to commit. By being aware of these factors, we can respond to
crime in a way that is more gender-sensitive and takes into consideration the unique challenges
and experiences that both men and women who work in the criminal justice system face.
Citations:

Alamdar, N. (Feb 27th, 2023). [5]. Retrieved

from [https://eclass.yorku.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=2170129.]

Alamdar, N. (Feb 27th, 2023). [6]. Retrieved

from [https://eclass.yorku.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=2170129.]