Explanation
Coined by sociologist Pat Carlen in her study Women, Crime and Poverty (1988), the “class deal” refers to the tacit agreement between disadvantaged individuals and society: if they remain law-abiding, work hard, and uphold conventional expectations, they can expect economic stability and social inclusion. For many working-class women in precarious situations, however, this promise often turns out to be illusory. When the class deal is perceived as broken or inaccessible—due to poverty, unemployment, or systemic barriers—criminal behavior may be seen as a rational alternative.
Theoretical Reference
The concept of the class deal is central to feminist criminology and critical theories of deviance. It challenges mainstream criminological assumptions about rational choice and emphasizes the role of structural inequality.