Abigail A. Ramirez, BS Criminal Justice

September 20, 2021

University of Texas at Arlington

Criminal Justice as a Socially Constructed Reality

This is a reflection after reading Kraska and Brent, as well as a contemplation of the explanations given in the book, along with my thoughts. In Theorizing Criminal Justice, Kraska and Brent go on to explain Criminal Justice as a Socially Constructed Reality. This orientation goes on to present that reality is relative and partly shaped by our personal interactions and experiences. Because of this orientation anyone who has an opposing view is incorrect to us because their perspective does not match with our own. In short, our personal constructions of reality are colored by our beliefs and history.

Socially Constructed Reality.

How we were raised and what we were raised to believe affects how we present ourselves, how others perceive us, and how we perceive others. Anthological work specializes in researching cultures to understand different perspectives. This research allows for an understanding of other perspectives. An understanding of other perspectives prompts plenty of research. 

The book gives the example of different perspectives by Blumer, “A tree will be a different object to a botanist, a lumberman, a poet, and a home gardener (Blumer1969).” This is similar to how a socially constructed reality looks for women. What does it mean to be a lady? There can be many different answers to this question. Sit quiet and look pretty could be an answer. There is nothing right or wrong about this answer however, it can be perceived differently by a woman in congress, a boy with a single mom, or a Mexican little girl. What does it mean to look like a pretty woman? Is it the shape of her body or the clothes she wears? As a woman is being quiet a part of what makes a woman pretty because she does not speak up for herself? Of course, depending on your perspective you may not have thought much of the initial statement. Rafter (1985) explores how gender studies and feminist scholarship has changed and increased over time. However, recently Texas laws have set back many advancements made by women.

Texas has just had its special session and enacted six hundred and sixty-six new laws and one of them is banning abortion after only six weeks of pregnancy. Most women do not even know that they are pregnant that early in their pregnancy (What The Texas Abortion Ban Does — And What It Means For Other States, 2021). It is to my understanding that many of the people pushing for this Pro-Life movement are from Christians. I am not saying that they are wrong in their thinking; however, this seems that the church and state are not so separate now. From a pro-choice view, a women’s choice to have an abortion is not to be regulated by the government. From a pro-life view, babies should not be killed because it is a life that could be something. Both sides are living in their own socially constructed reality based on their beliefs and experiences. One side believes women should have the right to choose what to do with their bodies while the other side believes biblical perspectives should be prioritized.  

Our reality is relative, and with this thinking when will progression happen? Our understandings of criminal justice must be analytical in questioning. Questioning and understanding creates an open-minded perspective. In all, this way of thinking helps investigate more in the criminal justice field. This also allows for more anthropological research to be conducted.