The Gendered Stigma-Vulnerability Nexus and Women Who Use Drugs Such as Spice in Prison. A Feminist Critical Realist Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of discourses around gender, stigma and vulnerability in the context of Spice use in English women’s prisons. Using Feminist Critical Realist Discourse Analysis, the study analyzes 15 semi-structured interviews. Two themes of gendered stigma-vulnerability are explored. First, embodied and social othering and second, gender norm non-conformity. The findings highlight how vulnerability and stigma are deeply entwined with gendered expectations and power dynamics in institutional settings. While criminalized women and drug users may share such experiences, the paper highlights the distinct nexus of gendered stigma-vulnerability discourses increasing marginalization for women who use Spice in prison.

Keywords

social constructions of female Deviance vulnerability and stigma critical realist discourse analysis Spice and other (new) psychoactive substances care and control of criminalized women

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