Gender and Organized Crime in Italy : Women's Agency in Italian Mafias

"In this comprehensive study of the role of women in the Italian mafia, Ombretta Ingrasci assesses the roles and spaces of women within traditionally male, patriarchal organized crime units. The study draws on an extensive range of research, legal reports and interviews with women involved with the mafia, public officials and police. Placed within a framework of political, social, cultural and religious history, post-1945, this book provides an excellent history of women and organized crime in modern Italy."-- Provided by publisher Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Foreword Acknowledgements Note on the text Introduction 1 Cosa Nostra and the ’Ndrangheta Violence, power and business Organizational structures and rituals 2 Women in Italian Society The labour market Social customs and women’s rights 3 Mafia Control Over Women The code of honour Female oppression Honour killings Blood alliances through marriages 4 Conformist Agency: Performing Soft Power Education Vendetta 5 Compliant Agency: From Margins to Delegated Power The drug trade Economic crimes From Hermes tasks to leadership positions Female agency meets mafia organizational needs 6 Transformative Agency: Searching for Autonomous Paths The strength of vulnerability Speaking out Following their own children The ethical impact Appendix: Lea Garofalo’s letter to the President of the Italian Republic Notes Bibliography Judicial Sources Index