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41 Aust. & N.Z. J. Criminology 1 (2008)

handle is hein.journals/anzjc41 and id is 1 raw text is: SPECIAL 15SUE INTRO DUCTIO N The Poverty of a Gender Neutral Criminology: Introduction to the Special Issue on Current Approaches to Understanding Female Offending Paul Mazerolle T he field of criminology has borne witness to significant growth of research and theorising in the area of gender and crime (Chesney-Lind & Irwin, 2007; Heidensohn, 2006; Heimer & Kruttschnitt, 2006; Hubbard & Pratt, 2002; Messerschimidt, 1993, Miller, 2001, 2002, 2008; Reisig, Holtfreter, & Morash, 2006; Steffensmeier, Schwartz, Zhong, & Ackerman, 2005). Despite historical neglect, in recent years important advances have occurred in research aimed toward further understanding the nature of female offending, the role of gendered experi- ences in shaping and constraining deviant pathways and events as well as in the role of criminal justice organisations in responding to the unique criminogenic needs of females (Belknap & Holsinger, 1998). Indeed, gender figures prominently in the field of criminology. It represents an important organising function for both criminological data and interpretation (Heimer & Kruttschnitt, 2006; Simpson, 1989, 1991) and it represents a key factor for assessing current theories, explanation and responses to offending behaviour. This special issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology examines gender and crime with a particular focus on understanding the nature of female offending, approaches for its explanation, as well as current evidence in relation to the need for specialised responses. The issue brings together many of the most prominent international scholars working in the area of gender and crime. Their work has been instrumental in shaping debates and conceptions of gender and crime previously and will continue to inform understanding in this area. This unique collection of articles represents an important opportunity to reflect upon past achievements, consider new and innovative research as well as identify existing gaps in our knowledge and understanding. A range of important themes emerge in the collection. A powerful theme broached in some of the articles is the unique rote of violence for female offenders, Address for correspondence: Paul Mazerolle, Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice & Governance, Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane QLD 4111, Australia. E-mail: p.mazerolle@griffith.edu.au THEAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY VOLUME 41 NUMBER I 2008 PP 1-8