Crime - Social | Changing Law/Punishments From Culture To Culture Flashcards
Crime and deviance in societies
What constitutes as crime and deviance differs between societies
Crimes typically disapproved of in our society examples (UK)
- honour crime
- murder
- FGM
Social Construction of Crime definition
The idea that crime is a product of the situation in which it takes place
Crime is dictated by what is seen as illegal in any given society
What is considered a crime is only defined by what society decides/agrees is criminal
Crime can vary based on:
Time
Place
Culture
Circumstances
Why might laws be different depending on the culture of that country/society?
Beliefs Values Religions Traditions Equality
Cannabis smoking - in which cultures is this act illegal? (Sanctions, UK sanctions)
Most EU countries
Punishment - fines and imprisonment
£90 in UK or up to 5 years
Cannabis smoking - in which cultures is this act legal?
African countries
Spanish cultures
Some US states
Cannabis smoking - why are there differences in the law?
In line with public opinion - becoming less deviant in society
Adultery - in which cultures is this act illegal?
Islamic Culture
Punishment - fines, imprisonment, death sentence
Adultery - in which cultures is this act legal?
European countries
Canada
UK
Adultery - why are there differences in the law?
Goes against religion
Tradition - marriage values
Monogamy
Murder - punishments in UK v Saudi Arabia
UK - Life Order (with chance of parole)
SA - death penalty
Theft - punishments in UK v Saudi Arabia
UK - triable either way offence - could end up with up to 6 months in Mags court or up to 7 years in Crown Court depending on seriousness///may get unlimited fine
SA - amputation of D’s right hand
Drug trafficking - punishments in UK v Saudi Arabia
UK - unlimited fine or up to 7 years in prison
SA - death penalty
