Patriarchy, Crime, and Justice

Feminist criminology, as an outgrowth of the second wave of feminism, came of age during a period of considerable change and political optimism. As a mature field, it now inhabits a social and political landscape radically altered and increasingly characterized by the politics of backlash. Given feminist criminology’s dual focus on gender and crime, it is uniquely positioned to respond to two core aspects of the current backlash political agenda: racism and sexism. To do this effectively, feminist criminology must prioritize research on the race/gender/punishment nexus. This article provides three examples of how such a focus exposes the crucial roles played by constructions of the crime problem as well as current crime-control strategies in the ratification and enforcement of antifeminist and racist agendas. Finally, the field must seek creative ways to blend scholarship with activism while simultaneously providing support and encouragement to emerging feminist criminologists willing to take such risks.