Explanation
Feminist Criminology emerged in the 1970s as a response to the male bias in traditional criminological theories. It critiques the underrepresentation of women—as both offenders and victims—in crime research and emphasizes how gendered power relations influence legal definitions, enforcement practices, and societal reactions. Feminist scholars analyze issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and the criminalization of female behavior through a gender-sensitive lens.
Theoretical Reference
Feminist Criminology is part of Critical Criminology and intersects with theories of intersectionality, patriarchy, and structural inequality. It challenges mainstream theories by incorporating the lived experiences of women and marginalized groups.