Rättssystemets blind spot: en kvalitativ studie om föreställningar om manlighet i kriminella gäng
(2017) RÄSK02 20171Department of Sociology of Law
- Abstract
- This study investigates ideas about masculinity in criminal gangs, and how these ideas affect disengagement from gangs. A major problem with criminal gangs is that since they are outside society’s laws and norms, it is difficult for the judiciary to counter them with law enforcement. It is not possible to change gang member’s behaviors solely with laws, which leaves the legal system with a blind spot in this regard. The aim of this study is to add knowledge about the norms and structures in gangs in order to fill this blind spot, as well as contributing new approaches to society's crime prevention work.
The study is primarily based on seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews with former criminals. A qualitative analysis of former... (More) - This study investigates ideas about masculinity in criminal gangs, and how these ideas affect disengagement from gangs. A major problem with criminal gangs is that since they are outside society’s laws and norms, it is difficult for the judiciary to counter them with law enforcement. It is not possible to change gang member’s behaviors solely with laws, which leaves the legal system with a blind spot in this regard. The aim of this study is to add knowledge about the norms and structures in gangs in order to fill this blind spot, as well as contributing new approaches to society's crime prevention work.
The study is primarily based on seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews with former criminals. A qualitative analysis of former studies, laws and literature was also made. The main outcome reached in the analysis is that a macho culture can be seen in the gangs that affects desistance from them. This result is compatible with Raewyn Connell’s theory of masculine hegemony, used in the analysis. While in the gang, members put on a mask to achieve the masculine ideal. This is beneficial for them because the masculine ideal leads to power, respect and an identity. When desisting from the gang, they must take the mask off and lose everything they built up. For the desistance to succeed, the individuals must realize that there are other, legal ways to achieve a masculine ideal. The study concludes with a discussion of the judiciary’s role in the crime prevention work. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8912454
- author
- Ekblom, Jennifer LU and Svensson, Sofia LU
- supervisor
-
- Eva Schömer LU
- organization
- course
- RÄSK02 20171
- year
- 2017
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- hegemonisk maskulinitet, kriminella gäng, manlighet, maskulin hegemoni, rättssystemets blind spot
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 8912454
- date added to LUP
- 2017-06-19 09:38:37
- date last changed
- 2017-06-19 09:38:37
@misc{8912454,
abstract = {{This study investigates ideas about masculinity in criminal gangs, and how these ideas affect disengagement from gangs. A major problem with criminal gangs is that since they are outside society’s laws and norms, it is difficult for the judiciary to counter them with law enforcement. It is not possible to change gang member’s behaviors solely with laws, which leaves the legal system with a blind spot in this regard. The aim of this study is to add knowledge about the norms and structures in gangs in order to fill this blind spot, as well as contributing new approaches to society's crime prevention work.
The study is primarily based on seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews with former criminals. A qualitative analysis of former studies, laws and literature was also made. The main outcome reached in the analysis is that a macho culture can be seen in the gangs that affects desistance from them. This result is compatible with Raewyn Connell’s theory of masculine hegemony, used in the analysis. While in the gang, members put on a mask to achieve the masculine ideal. This is beneficial for them because the masculine ideal leads to power, respect and an identity. When desisting from the gang, they must take the mask off and lose everything they built up. For the desistance to succeed, the individuals must realize that there are other, legal ways to achieve a masculine ideal. The study concludes with a discussion of the judiciary’s role in the crime prevention work.}},
author = {{Ekblom, Jennifer and Svensson, Sofia}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Rättssystemets blind spot: en kvalitativ studie om föreställningar om manlighet i kriminella gäng}},
year = {{2017}},
}