Critical Theories of Deviance
Critical theories of deviance are applied in examining the issues of crime and deviance that challenge the status quo or the normative. For instance, critical theories will study how society responds to drug addiction instead of examining how a person becomes a drug addict. The main objective of critical theories is to represent the oppressed, marginalized, minorities, or criminalized individuals (Inderbitzin & Gainey, 2018). There are three critical theories, which include feminist criminology, critical race theory, and peacemaking theory. Need help with your assignment ? Reach out to us. We offer excellent services.
Feminist criminology is a feminist theory established in the mid to late 20th century to fight against the oppression of women in a patriarchal society. Feminist criminology theory was developed because, before its development, female deviance was explained either through the general deviance theories, which were mainly based on men’s deviance, or through a sexist perspective, which was based on depicting women as different in their makeup, which explained their deviance.
The critical race theory was established in the late 20th century due to the civil rights movement. This theory challenges the concept of white supremacy and white normality (Inderbitzin & Gainey, 2018). The theory examines and highlights racial inequality and aims to change the complicated relationship between people of color and the law, which has always disadvantaged people of color. Lastly, the peacemaking theory was developed by Richard Quinney and his colleagues and challenged the normal or standard way society uses to fight crime: the war on crime perspective, which depicts offenders as different from non-offenders and advocates for punishments towards offenses (Inderbitzin & Gainey, 2018). This theory suggests that this traditional way of fighting crime is ineffective as it has done nothing to reduce offenses committed (Inderbitzin & Gainey, 2018). Accordingly, the peacemaking theory suggests using religion and feminism to eradicate patriarchy and the critical tradition of peacemaking to eradicate all inequalities.
All these critical theories have been critiqued. For example, the critical race theory is criticized for exploiting one’s race based on the history of slavery and making race the single most important predictor of one’s experience in America. Secondly, feminist criminology theories have been criticized as reductionist because they focus on gender. Lastly, the peacemaking theory was criticized for being a utopian idea whereby society tolerates crimes. Besides, there was no evidence that the ideas behind it would work, unlike other crime theories backed by evidence (Moyer, 2001).
References
Inderbitzin, M., Bates, K. A., & Gainey, R. R. (2018). Perspectives on deviance and social control. Sage Publications.
Moyer, I. (2001). Criminological theories: Traditional and non-traditional voices and themes. Sage.
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Question 
Summarize the development of feminist criminology, critical race theory, and peacemaking theory.
Critical Theories of Deviance
Examine the critiques of these critical theories.