SOCIAL CHANGE Flashcards
Define what are norms
Norms are specific rules or socially accepted standards about how we are expected to behave in specific situations, e.g. Queueing
Define what are values
Values are general principles, beliefs or guidelines about how we should live our lives which tell us right from wrong and good from bad. Norms are generally based on values, e.g. Hygiene (value) –> showering (norm)
Define what are mores
Mores are essential norms that society sees as vital for maintaining standards of decency and civilized behaviour. These are society’s most important moral rules, e.g. being faithful to a partner
How does the public view smoking
Smoking in public places, near non-smokers and especially near children is unacceptable in society. People value health and safety, especially for children which is why laws and unwritten rules around smoking have changed in the public eye.
How has social change affected policy development: Smoking
2003 - Ban of billboard, print and internet advertisement which caused a reduction in smoking due to its reduction in glamorisation
2008 - Minimum age to buy tobacco products was raised to 18 which stopped children from buying tobacco
2013 - Displays of tobacco products in shops were banned and had to be kept behind screens / doors out of sight. This reduced smoking as people couldn’t see the product to buy
How does the public view drink driving
In 1925, the first law was passed making drink driving illegal, however there was no clear definition of ‘drunk’ and no legal limit of alcohol drivers could have in their blood. Public views on drink driving used to be quite tolerant, however as the number of ownerships of cars increased, so did the number of deaths (1950 there was around 5000 deaths and by 1960 it had increased to 8000 deaths) which began to change the public’s view on drink driving
How has social change affected policy development: Drink driving
1967 - The 1967 Road Safety Act introduced a blood alcohol limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood and it was an offence to be over this. This made convictions for drink driving much clearer
1968 - The first breathalysers were introduced for roadside use and alcohol based accidents dropped by 10%. This shows that people became more cautious as it was now possible to be caught
1991 - A new offence of causing death by driving under the influence of alcohol had a compulsory sentence of up to 5 years which acts as a serious deterrent for drivers.
How have demographics changed over the years leading to policy development
1945 - there were fewer than 20,000 non white residents in the UK. Demographic changes in the 1950s and 60s saw non white immigrants arrive in the UK from former colonies in the Caribbean, Indian sub continent and Africa. These people were invited to fill vacant jobs from the huge loss of working men during the war. People from Eastern Europe have recently been in search of economic opportunities and often fill the jobs that the British refuse to take (e.g. vegetable picking). Policy developments have been made to respond to changes in society’s structure.
How has social change affected policy development: Demographic changes
1965 - Due to widespread discrimination, a Race and Relations Act banned racial discrimination in public places, e.g. pubs that wouldn’t serve black people
2010 - The Race and Relations Act was replaced by the Equality Act which made it illegal to discriminate on race, sex, age or disability
2012 - A policy to control immigration called Hostile Environment led to the wrongful deportation of Windrush residents and claims of racism reemerged which caused racial tensions
How has cultural changes contributed to views of same sex relationships
In the past, religion played a powerful role in shaping values and major world religions taught that same sex relationships were sinful. In the 16th century, these relationships were punishable by death and this penalty was removed in the 19th century, however, homosexuality was still a crime until 1967. Homosexuality also wasn’t completely removed from the DSM until 1987. There was a series of high profile arrests (following Alan Turing) for homosexual indecency in the 1950s which allowed for an open discussion for changes in law which gradually led to changes in views of same sex relationships.
How has social change affected policy development: Same sex relationships
1967 - The Wolfenden report led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality which allowed two men to be in a relationship without having to fear being arrested
1994 - The age of sexual consent for same sex couples was lowered from 21 to 18 and in 2000 was equalised with heterosexual sex at 16
2013 - Same sex marriages were made legal in England and Wales with he 2013 Marriage Act
