Revisiting Patriarchy: Its Conceptualization and Operationalization in Criminology

Abstract

In recent decades, patriarchy has increasingly been posited as an explanation for gender differences in crime and victimization. While researchers frequently allude to the ''patriarchal structure of society'' or to ''male domination'' when discussing their theoretical perspective or findings, rarely do they articulate their conceptualization of the term. As a result, patriarchy has been used as an explanatory wild card that lacks specificity and is purported to both increase and decrease female crime and delinquency. In this paper we examine the conceptualization of patriarchy in criminological theory and research, discuss why the failure to clearly conceptualize this construct is problematic, and offer potential avenues for operationalizing patriarchy with the goal of facilitating future research on gender differences in crime.

Fertile bodies, immature brains?: A genealogical critique of neuroscientific claims regarding the adolescent brain and of the global fight against adolescent motherhood

“…While leading to greater protection, these findings are also being used to argue for a greater restriction of adolescents' autonomy, for example in relation to their ability to make autonomous decisions regarding sexual activity, contraceptive use and abortion (Aronson 2007). Since policy responses to criminality and sexuality are gendered classed and 'raced', this is likely to have a different impact on young people depending on their background (Ogle and Batton, 2009;Rembis, 2011).…”

Predicting Patriarchy

“…The family is regarded as one of the main social institutions in our society (Ogle & Batton, 2009). Recall that patriarchy reflects a historical and social system of male dominance over women, and patriarchal views tend to emphasize traditional stereotypical views than nontraditional beliefs.…”

“…(p. 171) Ogle and Batton (2009) thus indicate that research examining the effects of patriarchy often does not empirically measure patriarchy but rather assumes the existence of patriarchy without conceptualizing it. There was very little work on conceptualizing or operationalizing patriarchy, and the work that utilized patriarchy as a variable at all, tended to use it as an undefined given.…”

“…(p. 171) Ogle and Batton (2009) thus indicate that research examining the effects of patriarchy often does not empirically measure patriarchy but rather assumes the existence of patriarchy without conceptualizing it. Ogle and Batton (2009) note that both macro-and micro-level factors are important to patriarchy because the social structure influences the actions of individuals in society, and this social structure is often maintained and perpetuated by the actions of individuals. In fact, Hunnicutt (2009, p. 557) argues that patriarchy refers to "social arrangements that privilege males, where men as a group dominate women as a group, both structurally and ideologically," and that patriarchal systems exist at both the macro-and micro levels.…”

“…Research has found that lower levels of education are associated with increased endorsement of patriarchal ideas and beliefs as well as more traditional gender role beliefs and ideologies (Ahmad et al, 2004). This of course does not mean that all individuals with higher levels of education are more liberal in their views regarding gender roles and patriarchal views-in fact, some occupations that are male-dominated (e.g., lawyers, medical doctors, construction workers), or which necessitate high levels of education (e.g., an associate's or technical degree), may expose individuals to and entrench them in very patriarchal work subcultures (Ogle & Batton, 2009). This of course does not mean that all individuals with higher levels of education are more liberal in their views regarding gender roles and patriarchal views-in fact, some occupations that are male-dominated (e.g., lawyers, medical doctors, construction workers), or which necessitate high levels of education (e.g., an associate's or technical degree), may expose individuals to and entrench them in very patriarchal work subcultures (Ogle & Batton, 2009).…”