AC 1.2 Social Constructions Flashcards
Why do laws change over time?
Views and opinions can change over time, medical knowledge can effect this. Campaigns can also promote change.
What are the examples of laws that have changed over time?
Smoking: this is due to change in medical knowledge and views.
Prostitution: this is due to a change in views. People are now more aware of its vulnerability over criminality.
Homosexuality: this is as peoples attitudes changes.
Capital punishment: this is as views changed.
What are examples of laws that have changed due to place?
Cannabis use: it is illegal in the Uk but legal in some American states. Some places have legalised this for medical reasons, there are also differing norms and values from place to place.
What are some examples of laws that change from culture to culture?
Polygamy: It is illegal in the UK however this is not the case for some cultures. Polygamy is legal in most Muslim majority countries as it is accepted in the Quran.
Adultery: it is legal in most countries including the Uk. However it is illegal in some countries where law making is influenced by religion as not commuting it is one of the Ten Commandments.
What are some examples of how laws are applied differently according to circumstances?
Moral panics: when stiffer sentences are given to deter others during panics, e.g.’ London riots.
Homicide: Diminished responsibility(not in the right mental state to understand what they are doing). Loss of control (defence). Automatism (if it was involuntarily e.g., sleepwalking).
Typifications
Age of criminal responsibility- two people who commit the same crime will be treated differently if one of them is under the age of criminal responsibility. The age is under 10 in the UK.
