Subject: Critical paper on sex offenders?
From: Terry Raimos (terry_reams@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Jan 07 2000 - 18:39:37 CST
Greetings
I'm writing a paper for a prof who has asekd the class to take a "critical
perspective" on a social problem or form of deviance. I've been in the
library for two days and the only references which are even remotely
critical are the ones on 'date rape' and sexual conduct in Canadian and
American universities. By "critical" I mean the usual cadre of academics who
call themselves left realists and critical theorists.
My question is whether or not critical sociology/criminology can even
address something as individual as pedophilia. If it's a dead end, it's
early enough in the semester to switch topics.
Personally, I think this is an important issue because in Canada, about 20%
of federal offenders are sex offenders. Specialists in teh field say that's
just the tip of the iceberg.
The class can't use psychological or biological explanations for pedophilia
(he wants us to avoid 'individual theories'). But most of the research on
child sex offenders points to idiographic explanations. "What can critical
criminology offer in terms of social policy for the topic you select?" (that
was one of the prof's questions, not mine).
I'd also be interested in corresponding - off this list - with other
undergrad students who are taking critical sociology or criminology courses.
Terry Raimos
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