Mothering deviants: How women enable and support criminality
THERE was much talk awhile back when local research suggested that women were among the biggest supporters of criminality, and the beneficiaries of criminal spoils, and today, truth has become stranger than fiction, with women — mothers, sisters and aunts — supporting their sons who exhibit maladaptive behaviours and violence, until deviant behaviour has become part of the culture and the majority of people choose to victim shame when there’s an abuse incident.
Even as we recognised the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women last week, news making the rounds of the gang assault on a teen girl by a group of boys, and the response from women to the story, brought the pervasive cycle of maladaptive behaviours in communities into sharp focus.
“Particularly in patriarchal societies like Jamaica, the role of women in shaping or enabling these behaviours deserves critical examination,” said counsellor David Anderson. “Often motivated by love, loyalty, or survival, some women unwittingly contribute to the normalisation of violence by protecting or defending the deviant actions of their male relatives.”
Indeed, mothers hold a powerful position in the lives of their sons, shaping their values, behaviours, and sense of accountability. “However, in some cases, this nurturing instinct becomes a double-edged sword. When faced with their sons’ criminal activities—be it theft, domestic violence, rape, assault, drug use or gang involvement—some mothers rationalise or justify their behaviour rather than confronting it,” he said,
Anderson pointed to some of the comments under news stories around the boys’ arrest and charges, from accounts bearing names identifying them as mothers, those with profile pictures of women and children, and others with women-centred businesses, that have been victim-blaming and perpetrator-forgiving.
In many cases these women will ask for leniency, say the victim wanted it, say the victim was no saint, etc, and refuse to acknowledge the perpetrators’ actions, blaming external forces like bad company or societal pressures.
“Some will shield their sons from law enforcement or community scrutiny, often hiding evidence or creating alibis. There’s also normalisation, and adopting the belief that deviant behaviour is inevitable or justified, particularly in economically deprived or high-crime areas,” he said.
Anderson said such behaviours often stem from fear of losing their sons to violence, prison, or death, yet, in attempting to protect them, these women inadvertently reinforce maladaptive behaviours, giving rise to a culture where deviance is tolerated or even celebrated.
“When mothers, sisters, and aunts stand by male relatives despite their violent actions, they contribute to a broader culture of impunity. Over time, this culture shifts societal norms, leading to victim shaming, where women who report abuse or violence are often accused of “provoking” the perpetrator, while the offender is defended as a “good boy” who made a mistake,” said behavioural disorder specialist Ianeita White.
“Younger generations internalise these behaviours, seeing violence as an acceptable way to assert power or resolve conflict. Communities also stop holding individuals responsible, blaming systemic issues while ignoring personal choices,” White said.
She emphasised that this phenomenon also reflects the paradox of women supporting patriarchy: by enabling deviant behaviours, they inadvertently contribute to the cycles of violence that disproportionately harm other women and girls.
Both experts said addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, beginning with empowering these women, and providing them with education and support to recognise maladaptive behaviours and intervene effectively without fear of stigma or retaliation.
“We should be launching campaigns to shift societal narratives, focusing on holding perpetrators accountable rather than blaming victims,” White said. “Target at-risk youth with mentorship, counselling, and skills development to prevent deviant behaviour before it begins.”
Anderson said while older women are often seen as pillars of strength in families, this strength must be redirected toward fostering accountability and change.
“Supporting sons, nephews, or brothers doesn’t have to mean condoning their actions. Instead, it can mean guiding them toward rehabilitation, advocating for community-based interventions, and challenging the societal norms that glorify deviance,” he said.
“Remember that violence thrives in silence and complicity. While love for family may drive women to protect their men, true empowerment lies in breaking the cycle—by fostering accountability, rejecting deviance, and building a culture where violence is neither accepted nor excused.”
