Module #10
Module #10
Reading Content-
“The Future of Crime Theory,” written by Abadinsky and Winfree attempts to look to the future and develop a set of questions which will assist in answering the age old questions: what is crime and who is the criminal? Winfree and Abadinsky uses three questions in an attempt to create a better future for understanding crime and criminals. The questions are (1) Should criminologists emphasize specific research designs in the search to understand crime, (2) are new theories needed, and (3) are new questions or paradigms needed?
The questions addressed in this chapter address the blending of theory, research, policy and practices explored throughout the book. Evidence throughout the text suggests that research, theory and policy has come a long way since the days of Lombroso. The material covered in chapter 10 serves as a guideline for determining future approaches in developing criminal justice policy.
“Stutterers’ Practices,” written by Michael Petrunik and Clifford D. Shearing focuses on how stutterers cope with their disability as well deal with stigmatization associated with their inability to perform a seemingly routine task. The stuttering analysis conducted by Petrunik and Shearing is by examining: “(1) how people coordinate the requirements of creating acceptable identities and orderly interaction, (2) how they integrate management strategies thought out in advance with those selected on a moment to moment basis, and (3) how the subjective experience of disability, together with the reactions of others, shape the management process.”
The authors point out that stutterers like other stigmatized persons seek to manage two interrelated problems. They are concerned with preserving an acceptable identity and preserving orderly interaction so that they can get on with the business of their life.
“Tearoom Trade,” written by Laud Humphreys exposes a rarely viewed or known phenomenon of random, impersonal gay sex. According to the author this type of activity is common placed if one knows where to look. Occurrences of random, gay sex occur in most often in public restrooms across the nation. One must only know where to look and how to determine if the restroom is suitable for this type of activity. The author details the many variables which must be in place for a restroom to by acceptable for random, gay sex. Bathrooms which are located near major highways and our separated for the most part from random traffic as well as have the ability for early detection of possible intruders (i.e. window, squeaky door, etc.).
“Topless Dancers: Managing Stigma in a Deviant Occupation,” written by William E. Thompson and Jackie L. Harred attempts to explain and analyze how strippers manage the stigma associated with their deviant occupation. The authors indicate that many dancers strongly identify with Goffman’s work on spoiled identities, where individuals socially and symbolically redefine their work in an effort to reduce negative attitudes directed towards their work and themselves. The authors also reference social control theory and its application, which is defined by topless dancer’s attempts to rationalize their actions.
“The Behavior of the Systematic Check Forger,” written by Edwin M. Lemert attempts to explain criminal behavior through the application of behavior systems, namely typology, which is addressed by Sutherland. The author lists five behavior systems of a thief. These systems are as follows (1) stealing is made a regular business, (2) every act is carefully planned, including the use of the “fix”, (3) technical skills are used, chiefly those of manipulating people; this differentiates the thief from other professional criminals, (4) the thief is migratory but uses a specific city as a headquarters, (5) the thief has criminal associations involving acquaintances, congeniality, sympathy, understandings, rules, codes of behavior, and a special language.
“Deviant Career Mobility: The Case of Male Prostitutes,” written by David F. Luckenbill examines the career mobility of those involved in male prostitution. The author first identifies the stratification in male prostitution as well as describes it’s three principal tiers. They include, street hustling, bar hustling, and escort prostitutions. Secondly, the author conducts a longitudinal study in which he follows 28 male prostitutes throughout their career of service. Finally, Luckenbill compiles his findings to determine what effect the properties of a deviant world have on career mobility.
“Corporate Organization and Criminal Behavior,” written by Marshall Clinard and Peter Yeager focuses on how the cultural environment of the business world might actually encourage or discourage criminal behavior. In businesses where the culture may actually influence law breaking behavior he companies place high value on profit, expansion, and power. This sounds like the goals of any successful company but the way in which one goes about achieving these ends can become criminal. And the value and importance a company places on the ends often times determines the likelihood that one will turn to criminal actions.
Internet Content-
http://www.starlit.org/morningstar/death/gein.html
Ed Gein participated in a special kind of art and craft, involving human remains. This bizarre handicraft coupled with cannablism made Eddie into a celebrity.
"I had a compulsion to do it." -EG
On November 17, 1957, after the discovery of Bernice Worden's headless corpse and other gruesome artifacts in Eddie's house, police began an exhaustive search of the remaining parts of the farm and surrounding land. Further searches found the remains of at least 15 women at the house. Although Eddie swore that the remaining body parts of most of the women were those taken from local graveyards, police were skeptical. While the shocked deputies searched through the rubble of Eddie Gein's existence, they realized that they had stumbled into a death farm. The funny-looking bowl was a top of a human skull. The lampshades and wastebasket were made from human skin. A ghoulish inventory began to take shape: an armchair made of human skin, female genitalia kept preserved in a shoebox, a belt made of nipples, a human head, four noses and a heart. The more the looked through the house, the more ghastly trophies they found. Finally a suit made entirely of human skin. Their heads spun as they tried to tally the number of woman that may have died at Eddie's hands. Most horribly of all, Gein had preserved his mother's skin. He confessed that he often dressed up in it, wore his mother's clothes, and ran outside the farmhouse to dance in the moonlight.
I thought the web page was a good demonstration of just how crazy some people are, and how difficult it is to explain this type of behavior with one if any of the theories. The movie “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” is based on a lot of this mans real life doings. Pretty damned scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v97/n271/a05.html
Male prostitution study shows link with drugs 'Guys go on heroin, then on the game'
The typical male prostitute gets involved for the money. "The guys I was hanging around with were working the Park . . . one day I was broke . . . it didn't mean anything except cash" is representative of comments from 27 males prostitutes surveyed. Another response was: "When homeless, there is no other way on the street."
Four ( 15 per cent ) of the boys surveyed were introduced to prostitution when aged 13, but most were in the 14to19 age bracket.
Many young boys who have been sexually abused as children "drift easily into being paid for sexual favours", while there are very few opportunities for gay teenagers to explore their sexuality.
Some explain their involvement on the basis of "being approved of" and "the idea that someone wanted you; the money came after".
When asked to describe their activities, a more graphic picture emerges on how this impacts their lives. One said: "Abusive, dangerous, degrading, exciting, lonely, isolating, shame, secret."
On drugtaking, another said: "Guys go on heroin and then on the game to feed their habit."
I found this article to be very interesting. It seems that these days we can pretty much link any type of deviant behavior to drugs. Perhaps if drugs were legalized and made available we would no longer have male prostitutes? I don’t think this is the truth, but this website is trying to convince me that this is why there are male prostitutes. Thanks for the smoke up my …….!
Topless Danicng- After conducting searches on the internet by entering “topless dancing” in the field it almost seemed to me that there is no longer a social stigma attached to this type of occupation. I realize it is the internet and therefore surfers feel more anonomous, but the sheer number of ads and articles relating to topless dancing amazed me. You can even order a video, “how to be a better topless dancer.” I see in todays world that we are slowly becoming a much more liberal country who is not as easily offended as in past generations. All one needs to do is turn on the TV to network stations primetime. These types of programs are supposed to be targeting families. Judging by the content of the material I would have though it was geared toward the federal prison population. Ok, maybe not that bad but still we are slowly being desensitized, primarily by media.
http://www.gwu.edu/~medusa/stripping.html
In "Dancing with Identity: Narrative Resistance Strategies of Male and Female Stripteasers," (1998) Carol Rambo Ronai and Rabecca Cross investigate discursive strategies used by male and female strippers to maintain a sense of legitimacy. The researchers use life history interviews of fourteen female dancers and ten male dancers to determine what strategies are used and how they are implemented. Ronai and Cross determined that each of the dancers employed images of deviance, or "deviance exemplars" to distance themselves from other dancers in an effort to maintain a sense of legitimacy or supremacy (106-113). These dancers also viewed total immersion in this occupation as negative, and thus viewed themselves as less involved in an effort to maintain distance and self-respect (113-115). In other words, dancers would demonstrate their uniqueness by suggesting that they were "better" or "real" dancers who didn't need to prostitute, for example. Through these distancing techniques, according to the researchers, "dancers are able to triangulate and map and identity for themselves through a very treacherous terrain which makes available less than perfect resources for accomplishing biographical work" (115). In this way, Ronai and Cross afford a sense of agency to these dancers in the construction of their personal histories.
This webpage exemplifies our earlier assigned reading. Great info on how strippers attempt to not be completely enveloped by the culture of stripping.
So What-
I must say this module contained some very interesting as well as entertaining readings. The complexities involved in some of these readings are overwhelming. Once again the readings given illustrated to me that there is no one theory to explain why and how deviant behavior occurs.
Of the readings I found the Tea Room article to be very interesting. To begin with I have never heard of this type of activity taking place. Who would have ever thought that random gay sex takes place in the city park bathrooms? The practice of these individuals amazes me as well as disgusts me. It’s not the fact that they are homosexual but the fact that they are engaging in such intimate activity without knowledge of one another’s background. In today’s world it is very dangerous if not life threatening to be having such casual sexual encounters. Furthermore the author pointed out that many of the persons are married or otherwise attached intimately with another partner. The partners at home do not realize what is going on and are placed at risk as well. This type of activity is very risky to say the least and seems to me that if at all possible attempts at stopping it should be made. Just think one day you might walk into the wrong bathroom, at the wrong park, at the wrong time. Imagine the surprise and horror you might experience.
After the time and effort spent on each module I feel that it has helped me a great deal in furthering my understanding of crime and its multiple explanations as to why it happens and why people become criminal. The theories which attempt to explain crime are many and at times very complex. Many of the theories explored throughout the semester do have real world application, but unfortunately they are not all encompassing.
Reading Content-
“The Future of Crime Theory,” written by Abadinsky and Winfree attempts to look to the future and develop a set of questions which will assist in answering the age old questions: what is crime and who is the criminal? Winfree and Abadinsky uses three questions in an attempt to create a better future for understanding crime and criminals. The questions are (1) Should criminologists emphasize specific research designs in the search to understand crime, (2) are new theories needed, and (3) are new questions or paradigms needed?
The questions addressed in this chapter address the blending of theory, research, policy and practices explored throughout the book. Evidence throughout the text suggests that research, theory and policy has come a long way since the days of Lombroso. The material covered in chapter 10 serves as a guideline for determining future approaches in developing criminal justice policy.
“Stutterers’ Practices,” written by Michael Petrunik and Clifford D. Shearing focuses on how stutterers cope with their disability as well deal with stigmatization associated with their inability to perform a seemingly routine task. The stuttering analysis conducted by Petrunik and Shearing is by examining: “(1) how people coordinate the requirements of creating acceptable identities and orderly interaction, (2) how they integrate management strategies thought out in advance with those selected on a moment to moment basis, and (3) how the subjective experience of disability, together with the reactions of others, shape the management process.”
The authors point out that stutterers like other stigmatized persons seek to manage two interrelated problems. They are concerned with preserving an acceptable identity and preserving orderly interaction so that they can get on with the business of their life.
“Tearoom Trade,” written by Laud Humphreys exposes a rarely viewed or known phenomenon of random, impersonal gay sex. According to the author this type of activity is common placed if one knows where to look. Occurrences of random, gay sex occur in most often in public restrooms across the nation. One must only know where to look and how to determine if the restroom is suitable for this type of activity. The author details the many variables which must be in place for a restroom to by acceptable for random, gay sex. Bathrooms which are located near major highways and our separated for the most part from random traffic as well as have the ability for early detection of possible intruders (i.e. window, squeaky door, etc.).
“Topless Dancers: Managing Stigma in a Deviant Occupation,” written by William E. Thompson and Jackie L. Harred attempts to explain and analyze how strippers manage the stigma associated with their deviant occupation. The authors indicate that many dancers strongly identify with Goffman’s work on spoiled identities, where individuals socially and symbolically redefine their work in an effort to reduce negative attitudes directed towards their work and themselves. The authors also reference social control theory and its application, which is defined by topless dancer’s attempts to rationalize their actions.
“The Behavior of the Systematic Check Forger,” written by Edwin M. Lemert attempts to explain criminal behavior through the application of behavior systems, namely typology, which is addressed by Sutherland. The author lists five behavior systems of a thief. These systems are as follows (1) stealing is made a regular business, (2) every act is carefully planned, including the use of the “fix”, (3) technical skills are used, chiefly those of manipulating people; this differentiates the thief from other professional criminals, (4) the thief is migratory but uses a specific city as a headquarters, (5) the thief has criminal associations involving acquaintances, congeniality, sympathy, understandings, rules, codes of behavior, and a special language.
“Deviant Career Mobility: The Case of Male Prostitutes,” written by David F. Luckenbill examines the career mobility of those involved in male prostitution. The author first identifies the stratification in male prostitution as well as describes it’s three principal tiers. They include, street hustling, bar hustling, and escort prostitutions. Secondly, the author conducts a longitudinal study in which he follows 28 male prostitutes throughout their career of service. Finally, Luckenbill compiles his findings to determine what effect the properties of a deviant world have on career mobility.
“Corporate Organization and Criminal Behavior,” written by Marshall Clinard and Peter Yeager focuses on how the cultural environment of the business world might actually encourage or discourage criminal behavior. In businesses where the culture may actually influence law breaking behavior he companies place high value on profit, expansion, and power. This sounds like the goals of any successful company but the way in which one goes about achieving these ends can become criminal. And the value and importance a company places on the ends often times determines the likelihood that one will turn to criminal actions.
Internet Content-
http://www.starlit.org/morningstar/death/gein.html
Ed Gein participated in a special kind of art and craft, involving human remains. This bizarre handicraft coupled with cannablism made Eddie into a celebrity.
"I had a compulsion to do it." -EG
On November 17, 1957, after the discovery of Bernice Worden's headless corpse and other gruesome artifacts in Eddie's house, police began an exhaustive search of the remaining parts of the farm and surrounding land. Further searches found the remains of at least 15 women at the house. Although Eddie swore that the remaining body parts of most of the women were those taken from local graveyards, police were skeptical. While the shocked deputies searched through the rubble of Eddie Gein's existence, they realized that they had stumbled into a death farm. The funny-looking bowl was a top of a human skull. The lampshades and wastebasket were made from human skin. A ghoulish inventory began to take shape: an armchair made of human skin, female genitalia kept preserved in a shoebox, a belt made of nipples, a human head, four noses and a heart. The more the looked through the house, the more ghastly trophies they found. Finally a suit made entirely of human skin. Their heads spun as they tried to tally the number of woman that may have died at Eddie's hands. Most horribly of all, Gein had preserved his mother's skin. He confessed that he often dressed up in it, wore his mother's clothes, and ran outside the farmhouse to dance in the moonlight.
I thought the web page was a good demonstration of just how crazy some people are, and how difficult it is to explain this type of behavior with one if any of the theories. The movie “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” is based on a lot of this mans real life doings. Pretty damned scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v97/n271/a05.html
Male prostitution study shows link with drugs 'Guys go on heroin, then on the game'
The typical male prostitute gets involved for the money. "The guys I was hanging around with were working the Park . . . one day I was broke . . . it didn't mean anything except cash" is representative of comments from 27 males prostitutes surveyed. Another response was: "When homeless, there is no other way on the street."
Four ( 15 per cent ) of the boys surveyed were introduced to prostitution when aged 13, but most were in the 14to19 age bracket.
Many young boys who have been sexually abused as children "drift easily into being paid for sexual favours", while there are very few opportunities for gay teenagers to explore their sexuality.
Some explain their involvement on the basis of "being approved of" and "the idea that someone wanted you; the money came after".
When asked to describe their activities, a more graphic picture emerges on how this impacts their lives. One said: "Abusive, dangerous, degrading, exciting, lonely, isolating, shame, secret."
On drugtaking, another said: "Guys go on heroin and then on the game to feed their habit."
I found this article to be very interesting. It seems that these days we can pretty much link any type of deviant behavior to drugs. Perhaps if drugs were legalized and made available we would no longer have male prostitutes? I don’t think this is the truth, but this website is trying to convince me that this is why there are male prostitutes. Thanks for the smoke up my …….!
Topless Danicng- After conducting searches on the internet by entering “topless dancing” in the field it almost seemed to me that there is no longer a social stigma attached to this type of occupation. I realize it is the internet and therefore surfers feel more anonomous, but the sheer number of ads and articles relating to topless dancing amazed me. You can even order a video, “how to be a better topless dancer.” I see in todays world that we are slowly becoming a much more liberal country who is not as easily offended as in past generations. All one needs to do is turn on the TV to network stations primetime. These types of programs are supposed to be targeting families. Judging by the content of the material I would have though it was geared toward the federal prison population. Ok, maybe not that bad but still we are slowly being desensitized, primarily by media.
http://www.gwu.edu/~medusa/stripping.html
In "Dancing with Identity: Narrative Resistance Strategies of Male and Female Stripteasers," (1998) Carol Rambo Ronai and Rabecca Cross investigate discursive strategies used by male and female strippers to maintain a sense of legitimacy. The researchers use life history interviews of fourteen female dancers and ten male dancers to determine what strategies are used and how they are implemented. Ronai and Cross determined that each of the dancers employed images of deviance, or "deviance exemplars" to distance themselves from other dancers in an effort to maintain a sense of legitimacy or supremacy (106-113). These dancers also viewed total immersion in this occupation as negative, and thus viewed themselves as less involved in an effort to maintain distance and self-respect (113-115). In other words, dancers would demonstrate their uniqueness by suggesting that they were "better" or "real" dancers who didn't need to prostitute, for example. Through these distancing techniques, according to the researchers, "dancers are able to triangulate and map and identity for themselves through a very treacherous terrain which makes available less than perfect resources for accomplishing biographical work" (115). In this way, Ronai and Cross afford a sense of agency to these dancers in the construction of their personal histories.
This webpage exemplifies our earlier assigned reading. Great info on how strippers attempt to not be completely enveloped by the culture of stripping.
So What-
I must say this module contained some very interesting as well as entertaining readings. The complexities involved in some of these readings are overwhelming. Once again the readings given illustrated to me that there is no one theory to explain why and how deviant behavior occurs.
Of the readings I found the Tea Room article to be very interesting. To begin with I have never heard of this type of activity taking place. Who would have ever thought that random gay sex takes place in the city park bathrooms? The practice of these individuals amazes me as well as disgusts me. It’s not the fact that they are homosexual but the fact that they are engaging in such intimate activity without knowledge of one another’s background. In today’s world it is very dangerous if not life threatening to be having such casual sexual encounters. Furthermore the author pointed out that many of the persons are married or otherwise attached intimately with another partner. The partners at home do not realize what is going on and are placed at risk as well. This type of activity is very risky to say the least and seems to me that if at all possible attempts at stopping it should be made. Just think one day you might walk into the wrong bathroom, at the wrong park, at the wrong time. Imagine the surprise and horror you might experience.
After the time and effort spent on each module I feel that it has helped me a great deal in furthering my understanding of crime and its multiple explanations as to why it happens and why people become criminal. The theories which attempt to explain crime are many and at times very complex. Many of the theories explored throughout the semester do have real world application, but unfortunately they are not all encompassing.
