Gender and Ethnicity play an essential role in analyzing organized crime, as shown in the video ” Mob Ladies ” and our readings on criminology. This article deals with gender and Ethnicity in organized crime as their role in affected parties, including perpetrators, victims, family members, and romantic partners, as shown in the video. Through the intersectionality of gender and Ethnicity in criminal enterprises, we better understand the underlying social dynamics and power mechanisms in organized crime, widening our perspective of the phenomenon.
In organized crime, gendered roles dictate specific responsibilities and power structures within criminal enterprises. The depiction of Virginia Hill, Arlyne Brickman, and Karen Hill as gangster ladies exemplifies how gender dictates the role people play in illegal activities. Historically, men have been the majority of the perpetrators of organized crime; they hold the top positions of leadership and authority. Nevertheless, the appearance of female figures such as Hill, Brickman, and Hill goes against traditional gender norms, proving that women can also be significant players as offenders in organized crime (Chin, pg. 9). Such a shift broadens our vision of gender dynamics within criminal networks and highlights the changing nature of gender roles in the underworld.
Besides, the video indicates that gender also creates the victimization experience in organized crime. Gender-based violence and exploitation are one of the different types where both men and women are victims. However, women are targeted the most for sex trafficking, extortion and other forms of abuse. Female victims’ experiences are shaped by patriarchal structures present in the criminal system, where women are marginalized and commonly subjected to violence as a means of control. This highlights the intersectionality of gender and victimization in organized crime, stressing the need for a gendered approach to crime prevention.
Also, gender impacts the roles of family members and romantic partners in organized crime networks. The clip shows that such criminal groups use family and love relations to their advantage. Women primarily serve as communication facilitators, money launderers, or emotional support providers for their partners involved in criminal activities (Mob Ladies, min. 3). Ethnicity may also meet with gender in these roles, for cultural expectations and traditions could define the relations both within the criminal families and between partners. This brings to the fore the complex interplay between gender, ethnicity, and family structures in organized crime networks, thereby showing how cultural factors define the roles and behaviours of the individuals involved in illicit activities.
In addition, Ethnicity is a major factor in organized crime, intersecting with gender, which shapes power dynamics and possibilities for involvement. Ethnic enclaves and communities are usually the incubators for organized crime activities, with persons from marginalized ethnic groups facing peculiar challenges and opportunities within criminal organizations. Ethnicity influences access to resources, networks and opportunities for career advancement in organized crime, with some ethnic groups being subjected to discrimination or exclusion due to cultural stereotypes and prejudices. This shows the complicated link between Ethnicity and organized crime, stressing the necessity of a subtle perception of the fact of how cultural issues intersect with gender issues to influence the behaviour and participation of criminals in illicit activities.
In summary, gender and Ethnicity are integral parts of organized crime, shaping these aspects of the crime as perpetrators, victims, family and romantic partners. The portrayal of mob ladies in the video titled “Mob Ladies” highlights the intricacies of the intersection between gender, Ethnicity, and organized crime, which calls for a nuanced approach in criminological research and policymaking. Understanding the multidimensional aspects of organized crime dynamics enables more efficient methods of fighting criminal activities and meeting individuals’ diverse interests and sensitivities related to or affected by such operations.
Works Cited
Chin, K. L. (1996). Chinatown gangs: Extortion, enterprise, and Ethnicity. Oxford University Press, USA..
Mob Ladies.” Directed by Virginia Hill, Karen Hill and Arlene Brickman 2020. YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GbSbGVCzSY&t=6s.
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