Criminology

1 . Given the theory 's assumptions about power , which part of Brenda 's life experiences

and choices would be of critical importance in explaining her involvement in crime

Labeling theory originated by Howard S . Becker , assumes that people in powerful positions determine what is deviant and that no act is intrinsically deviant or normal . A person , once labelled a criminal after the first deviation , will be labelled as such and this results in a secondary deviation . Brenda had a bad childhood and in to support her drug habits she resorted to

prostitution . Therefore , her resort to criminal activities , according to this theory , has to be attributed to the factors resulting from her being labelled a criminal

Marxist feminism believes that women 's oppression has its origin in the development of private property and of regulated family and marital relationships ' and that capitalism concentrates power in the hands of a few men who own the capital . Marxist feminists state that the corruption of wage labour that is an expression of class distinctions . Wage earning is a form of oppression , that the workers are inevitably enslaved under a system of production where , deprived of knowledge and skill , they are reduced practically to nothing ' Prostitution is a corruption of wage labour . Karl Marx said that prostitution is only a specific expression of the general prostitution of the labourer Brenda was addicted to drugs because of an unhappy childhood and bad companions in school . She chose prostitution as a career to cater to the needs of her children and to support her drug habit

Feminist theory advocates the rights of women based on the theory of equality of the sexes . It has branded social science as being male centred and as being a component of the hegemonic rule of patriarchy Hence , from this theory 's perspective , Brenda is the victim of a male dominated society as her father could sit and home and drink , while her mother had to work and this led to her feelings of insecurity , further after Brenda gave birth to her children her paramours abandoned her and she had to look after these children all by herself

Conflict theory states that crime is caused by the social and economic forces operating within society . The criminal justice system law operate for and on behalf of the rich and powerful social elites . The criminal justice establishment aims at imposing standards of morality and good behaviour created by the powerful on the whole of society . Brenda because of poverty and disillusionment with an unhappy childhood became addicted to drugs , and society , controlled by the rich and the elite has made rules which condemn her as a criminal . Her poverty has made her a victim of the rich and the powerful

2 . Given the theory 's assumptions about crime 's causes and solutions what would be an appropriate response to Brenda 's criminal activity

Labeling theory is akin to the theory that if the shoe fits , wears it . It suggests that social groups...