Sociological analysis of society's perspective on women who commit crimes: Sakarya example

Today, crime is considered one of the major problems faced by societies. Understanding the dynamics influencing the emergence of crime is critically important in combating it. Both individual and social factors play a role in the occurrence of crime, and these factors also shape the perception of crime. The norms, values, and social relations within society determine how crime is defined and how it is perceived. This study aims to provide a sociological analysis of how the people of Sakarya perceive women who have committed crimes and how these women are stigmatized. Factors such as socio-economic conditions, gender roles, and media influences were examined to understand their impact on the stigmatization and social exclusion of individuals associated with crime. The research employed a qualitative method using a phenomenological approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with individuals selected through snowball sampling, a purposeful sampling technique, within the Sakarya region. The interview guide was prepared with semi-structured questions. The findings revealed that the societal perception of women who commit crimes is often shaped by empathy and a sense of victimization. However, judgmental attitudes influenced by societal roles and norms were also observed. It was found that women tend to engage in crime due to economic hardships and family structures, while the media tends to marginalize these women further. The findings also indicate that society tends to show more empathy and understanding towards female offenders compared to male offenders, although these attitudes vary depending on the type of crime. For instance, women involved in economic crimes receive a more tolerant approach from society, whereas women involved in serious crimes face harsher and more judgmental attitudes. Additionally, the study highlights the insufficiency of family and social support systems as a significant obstacle to the reintegration of women into society.The first section provides conceptual and theoretical information on crime, crime theories, and deviation. The second section discusses the general state of female criminality in Turkey and globally. Finally, the last section presents the findings and analysis of the research in detail.