Part IVChapter 17

Societies appear to be subject to periods of moral panic – where a condition, episode, person, or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests (Cohen, 1972)

When official reaction to a person, groups or series of events is out of proportion to actual threat offered, it is beginning of a moral panic (Hall, 1978)

Part 4: Ch. 17

Founded on set of implicit value judgments – subject of analysis “bogus” or “exaggerated”

Thus, no such thing as “legitimate” panic or “well-founded” hysteria

Subject of moral panics by researchers usually based on vested interest of those studying them

Old moral panic theory nothing more than social constructionism

Part 4: Ch. 17

The fear that Muslims will take over U.S. society and enforce Islam on everyone

The fear of gay marriage initiatives and the “tainting” of marriage as an institution

The fear of crime spreading to the suburbs

Part 4: Ch. 17

Surprising lack of panic responsePopular construction of child pornography

factually incorrectPolice and media have not exaggerated child-

porn menaceImages more current & not just recycled from

decades pastRemarkable amount is very hard-core in natureProcess of manufacture involves actual abusive

behavior in present, not in distant pastPart 4: Ch. 17

KG (Kindergarten) collection - 100s-1000s of images from mid-90s depicting girls between ages 3-6 taken in Germany or Scandinavia;Represents one of most “prized

collections” on the InternetKX collection – similar collection of

images of young girls but with menLargest collection reported by police: 1.5

million

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Lack of technological understandingLack of controversial control of an issueLack of media accessInvisibility of the problemPreemption by other causes and interest

groups

Part 4: Ch. 17

Threatening and affects childrenLarge-scale with use of heavy Internet

security ensuring its expansionUndermining of national laws &

sovereignty due to globalizationPolitical implications:

Should appeal equally to feminists or conservative law and order adherents

Social response: almost nonexistent

Part 4: Ch. 17

Part 4: Ch. 17

Diversity of agencies & interest groupsInformation must be comprehensible to

claimsmakersIssue must be overt & accessiblePanic should offer narrativeVisual portrayalNarrative must have outcome“Meshes” with previous expectations &

knowledge

Part 4: Ch. 17

Part 4: Ch. 17

Lack of competition among agenciesLack of understanding on part of

agenciesOver-complex narratives Political embarrassment for agenciesLack of direct impact on consumers

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Do you agree with the author that Internet child pornography hasn’t garnered a moral panic?

What typically takes place when pedophiles are “busted” by law enforcement?

Part 4: Ch. 17

Part IVChapter 18

Part 4: Ch. 18

African Americans are disproportionately singled out as deviant & are more likely to be:Under surveillance & stoppedTreated disrespectfullyTreated with excessive forceLess likely to be protected by police

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Comparative analysis of AA youth in poor urban community and how gender shapes interactions with & perceptions of police

Survey & in-depth interviews (N = 75)35 females & 40 males ages 12-19 yearsLocation: St. Louis, MissouriGeneral findings:

Gendered nature of policing in urban Black neighborhoods

Young males more likely to be harassed

Part 4: Ch. 18

Part 4: Ch. 18

Part 4: Ch. 18

Part 4: Ch. 18

Discussion focused on frequent involuntary contact with police

Searches – physically intrusiveSpace – police thought to limit their use of

public spaceSingled-out – some males understood this,

but still found it prejudicialFrustration – especially prevalent when

law enforcement didn’t acknowledge innocence

Language – found to be antagonisticPart 4: Ch. 18

Part 4: Ch. 18

Curfew violations were most frustrating aspect of contact with police

Treatment – as a criminal suspectDesire for protection strong among

femalesViolence against females – some

complained about this by law enforcement

Treatment – as suspects

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What demographic variables are most salient in enforcing a deviant label on individuals or groups?

How is a deviant status used by the police to subordinate less powerful groups?

Part 4: Ch. 18