WOMEN IN MAFIA

Role of Italian Women in Mafia

Introduction1

Discussion2

History of Mafia Organizations in Italy2

Role of Women in mafia4

Present role of women in Italian mafia6

Role of women in anti-mafia movement10

Women involved in Italian mafia11

Conclusion12

Role of Italian Women in Mafia

Introduction

This paper would be based on the discussion of the role of women in mafia in Italian organizations. The paper would be based on the critical analysis of women in mafia in since the past two decades. The mafia (Cosa Nostra) and known as “Our thing” in English is considered as a criminal activity which emerged in the mid of 19th century in Sicily, Italy (Maffei, Betsos, 2007, p. 54). Mafia is referred to as a loose link of criminal groups which share a code of conduct and organizational structure. It is associated commonly with protection racketeering. Each group is considered as clan, family and is sovereign in the territory where it operates usually a town or neighborhood of a big city. The mafias leaders call their members as men of honor also known as Mafiosi. In the past only men were considered as the members of mafia, but in recent times it is reported that women relatives of mafia men members have also claimed the responsibilities of being mafia members. Their clans are known as families but they are not related by blood as members. There are rules designed by Mafia to prevent nepotism. Rank and membership in mafia is not considered as hereditary.

The Mafia is a criminal organization whose activities are performed by family clans. These activities emphasize a collective leadership based on an infiltration of civil society and institutional strategy. These members are committed to live in deceit, fraud and theft.

There are different definitions of the mafia which are provided by different scholars. Schneider (2002) discussed that mafia is based on eight criteria which are

The control of a territory

Hierarchy and obedience

Ethnicity and family

The ability to order and domination

Myths and legends

Seniority and longevity

Poly-crime

The secrecy and initiation

Discussion

History of Mafia Organizations in Italy

The mafias do not always operate in the same areas. They often have their specialties, thus avoiding too much competition and conflict between them. Their common areas are usually drugged trafficking, racketeering and extortion among the population.

The Sicilian Mafia (Cosa Nostra) is a criminal organization that was developed in Sicily in the 19th century. It is also often called octopus for its sprawling network and its ability to renew its networks. In Sicily, in its infancy, it was nicknamed the Honorable Society. This was due to the strict rules of honor that it used as the failure to take women or children. The Sicilian Mafia (Cosa Nostra) seems however not to practice pimping and kidnapping, probably taking into consideration their respect for Catholicism, although sometimes paradoxical. For mafia gangs money and power is considered as the most important aspect. Everything related to the achievement of its objectives is related to money and power. Mafia organziations includes the psychic structure, organzaitional dyanmics and ethical and behavioural ...