The Essence of British Feminist Criminology Theory and its Prospects

Abstract

The article examines the formation and development of British feminist criminology as a revolutionary direction in criminological science that emerged in the context of second-wave feminism of the 1960s-1970s. It provides detailed analysis of fundamental theoretical concepts by Carol Smart on the patriarchal nature of law and processes of secondary victimization, Frances Heidensohn's theory of multilevel social control explaining gender disproportions in crime, and Pat Carlen's concept of "gender and class deals" revealing mechanisms of economic determination of female criminality. The methodological contribution of these researchers to developing qualitative methods of criminological analysis and their critique of traditional masculinized theories are examined. Based on analysis of the contemporary criminological situation in Uzbekistan, characterized by high levels of domestic violence and specific cultural features of women's victimization, the necessity of creative adaptation of feminist approaches to the national context is substantiated. Specific directions for integration are proposed: establishing specialized research structures at the Institute of Criminology, developing culturally-sensitive methodologies, introducing gender perspective into law school educational programs, and overcoming cultural barriers by demonstrating compatibility of women's protection with traditional values.