Gender, Masculinities and Crime:

Abstract

This article begins with a consideration of the work of James Messerschmidt. It argues that his use of the central term `masculinities' is tautological and that the arguments linking masculinity to crime are implausible and logically flawed. Next it considers writings by Tony Jefferson that have switched the focus towards the psychic character of `masculinity'. It argues that none of the Kleinian concepts deployed by Jefferson are able to differentiate between masculinity or femininity. It then considers alternative psychoanalytic accounts that do so. Finally, it concludes by suggesting, paradoxically, that Jefferson's approach is helpful because masculinity (and femininity) are what psyches deal with. They are not what psyches are.