Tracing the development of Carol Smart's ideas over the last 20 years, this volume brings together, for the first time, the most important essays by one of the leading theorists of our generation. Law, Crime and Sexuality transcends the traditional fragmentation of sociology, criminology, socio-legal studies, feminist theory and philosophy, enabling readers to draw from a range of disciplines to see the connections between various key themes and debates. Compiled specifically for students' needs, these essays demonstrate that theory need not be inaccessible and promote, not only a conceptual understanding of the law, but an awareness of the extent to which the law is implicated in our everyday lives.
The book is divided into three sections, each prefaced by a specially-written introduction, which examine the major trends in contemporary thought: the shift from criminology to the sociology of law; the identification of law as a site of struggle rather than as a tool of reform; the recognition of the contested nature of 'woman' as a category; the significance of the developing situation where feminists must debate about values and epistemologies without fearing the demise of feminist politics. In addition, the text includes Carol Smart's most recent thoughts in an original final chapter which develops further her challenging work on the gendering and sexing of the body, the survival of sociological feminism and the development of new ways of going about women and law. The ideas presented here will generate further ideas and argument, making this book essential reading for all students of criminology, women and law, sociology of law and women's studies.