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Feminism, Punishment and the Potential of Empowerment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2014

Laureen Snider
Laureen Snider
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Queen's University
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Abstract

This paper argues that understanding the potential roles law and the state can play as transformative tools in counter-hegemonic feminist struggle requires that they be historically and structurally situated and contextualized, for both can be and have been facilitative as well as repressive. The paper examines, first, the negative consequences of using criminal law and the criminal justice system as instruments of reform, arguing that criminal law lacks transformative potential because of its particular role vis-à-vis the welfare state, dominant ideologies, and the struggle for change. Rights struggles are examined next, and it is argued that feminists should engage with law only under certain specified conditions to advance particular aims. The paper suggests some legal dead ends feminists should avoid, then examines alternative strategies which, it is argued, have the potential to empower and thereby to produce real and lasting improvements in women's lives.

Résumé

Cet article défend la thèse selon laquelle la compréhension des rôles potentiels que peuvent jouer la loi et l'État dans la lutte féministe contre-hégémonique en tant qu'outils de transformation nécessite qu'ils soient d'abord historiquement et structurellement situés et contextualisés, les deux pouvant être et ayant été à la fois des outils facilitateurs et des armes répressives. Cet article étudie d'abord les conséquences négatives de l'utilisation du droit criminel et du système de justice criminel en tant qu'instruments de réforme, opposant que le droit criminel ne présente pas le potentiel transformateur nécessaire en raison de son rôle particulier vis-à-vis l'État-providence, des idéologies dominantes et de la lutte pour le changement. Les luttes pour les droits sont ensuite étudiées et l'auteure soutient que les féministes ne devraient se servir du droit que pour atteindre quelques buts particuliers et ce, seulement à certaines conditions bien précises. L'auteure énonce enfin quelques écueils à éviter et termine par l'examen de stratégies alternatives qui, invoque-t-elle, ont le potentiel de donner du pouvoir et, par conséquent, de produire des effets réels et durables sur la vie des femmes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Law and Society / La Revue Canadienne Droit et Société , Volume 9 , Issue 01: Law, Feminism and Sexuality/Droit, féminisme et sexualité , Spring/printemps 1994 , pp. 75 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Law and Society Association 1994

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