Ac 4.2 Explain How Social Changes Affect Policy Development Flashcards
Drink driving- time
What were the changes in time around drink driving?
Views have changed around drink driving over time. This has led to changes in law and policies. The public has come to see drink driving as more serious so laws became tighter. 1925 the first law making drink driving illegal- before this there was no legal definition of drunk and no legal alcohol limit.
Drink driving- time
What was the social change around drink driving?
In the past people were tolerant of drink driving and it wasn’t seen as a serious crime. In 1951 only 15% of households has a car but in 1971 55% of households had one. This resulted in more deaths. 5,000 car related deaths in 1950s and 8,000 in 1960s. This caused public perception of drink driving to change and road safety became more of a concern to the public.
Drink driving- time
What policies and laws did this lead to?
1966- all new cars had to be fitted with seatbelts
1967- road safety act- blood alcohol limit of 80mg per 100 ml of blood. Became an offence to drive over this limit.
1968- breathalysers introduced for roadside use → reduced road deaths by 1,100 and serious injuries by 11,000. Road accidents involving alcohol fell from 25% to 15%
TOUGHER LAWS-
1991- new offence introduced- causing death by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 5 year sentence.
2014- sentence increased to 14 years
Smoking- time
What were the changes in time around smoking?
Views about smoking have changed over time. This has led to changes in law and policy. Public came to see it as more serious and laws became tighter.
Smoking- time
What was the social change around smoking?
In 1930s the norm was to smoke- seen as glamorous and sophisticated. Film stars would be seen smoking, people could smoke indoors and doctors would encourage it. 1950 research was published confirming the link between smoking and cancer. This changed peoples views on smoking.
Smoking- time
What policies and laws did this lead to?
1965- tobacco industry required to put warnings on products and advertisements → health warnings with graphic images on cigarettes packs.
2002- tobacco advertising and promotion act- banned advertising and promotion of tobacco products.
2006- the health act- prohibited smoking indoors in public places.
2014- the children’s and families act made smoking in cars with children in illegal
Women’s rights-time
What were the changes in time around women’s rights?
Beginning of the 20th century women had very little legal and political rights. STEREOTYPE- married women stayed at home, cooked, cleaned, looked after children while husband was at work.
Women’s rights-time
What was the social change around women’s rights?
SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT- rebelled against marriage, seemed education and equality. This started changing society’s views on women.
Women’s rights-time
What policies and laws did his lead to?
1928- women receive the right to vote
WW2 1939-45- women fill roles traditionally occupied by men.
1960s- women’s liberation movement helped many changes come around like contraception, marriage and more women entering the work force.
1970- equal pay act- made it illegal to pay women lower rates than men for the same work.
1975- sex discrimination act- makes it illegal to discriminate against women in work, education and training.
Race relations/ discrimination- place/ demographic
What were changes in demographic around race relations?
Policy may change due to the demographic of a particular place. What is considered criminal/ deviant varies depending on place.
CHANGES- increase or decrease in birth rates and migration patterns. Changes in balance of genders, ethnicities and age group.
Race relations/ discrimination- place/ demographic
What was the social change around race relations?
1945- fewer than 20,000 non-white residents in the UK. Main immigration groups were white- Irish (economic reasons) Jewish (persecution in Europe)
1950s and 60s- non white immigrants come from former British colonies in Caribbean, India, Greece - → uks demographic structure changed- multi ethnic
Wind rush generation- early arrivals. Faced with hostility, white people holding racist stereotypes. Immigrants faced with discrimination in housing, employment and services. Churches turned away black families to not upset white families.
Race relations/ discrimination- place/ demographic
What policies and laws did this lead to?
1965- race relations act- banned racial discrimination in public spaces and made the promotion of hatred on the grounds of colour, race or ethnicity an offence.
1968- outlawed discrimination in employment, housing and services.
1976- race relations act- made direct and indirect discrimination illegal.
Since the 1960s there has been a decline in prejudice towards ethnic minorities.
2010- equality act- made it illegal to discriminate against a protected characteristic.
Homosexuality- culture
What were changes in culture around homosexuality?
Cultural differences relate to structure of society, an accepted, common way of life in society.
Before the 1960s same sex activities were seen as immoral and sinful and was severely punished.
20th century law was enforced on gay men- 1954 over 1000 men in prison.
1967- decriminalised homosexual acts between tow consenting men over age of 21 in private.
Homosexuality- culture
What was the social change around homosexuality?
1980s- 1/5 of people saw nothing wrong with same sex relationships. → now 2/3 of people she nothing wrong with same sex relationships. Majority of people take the view that consenting adults should have the right to do as they wish in private.
Introduction of
Individualism- individuals should have the right to choose how they live their lives.
Secularisation- decline influence of religion on peoples lives, attitudes and values. Religion now has less influence then it used to.
Homosexuality- culture
What policies and laws did this lead to?
1957- wolfendon report- said law should not intrude into personal life.
1967- homosexuality decriminalised.
1994- criminal justice and public order act- age of consent lowered to 18.
2000- sexual offences act- age of consent lowered to 16. Stonewall began campaigning for equal marriage.
2004- civil partnership permitted.
2010- equality act- made it illegal to discriminate because of sexuality.
2014- same sex marriage made legal
