social construction Flashcards
what is social construction
something made or defined by society. what is criminal is what society defines it. this can differ as one society or culture sees criminal may not be in another
how do laws change from culture to culture: polygamy
it is more than one marital partner.
where is polygamy legal
muslin majority countries: Malaysia
where is polygamy illegal
most countries: UK and USA
why laws vary: polygamy: religion
the Qur’an permits muslins to have up to 4 wives
why laws vary: polygamy: tradition
it is traditionally practiced in some afrcan countries
How laws vary from culture to culture: adultery
sexual relations outside of marriage
where is adultery legal
most countries: UK
where is adultery illegal
crime in muslim majority countries: Saudi Arabia
whys laws vary from culture to culture: adultery: religion
most religions condemn adultery
- it is a sin in the bible
how laws change over time: homosexuality
same sex sexual relations
where is homosexuality legal in
UK and EU
where is homosexuality illegal in
iran and saudi arabia
how laws change: homosexuality: campaigns
in the UK it used to a crime punishable by imprisonment in 1885.
The Homosexual Law Reform Society campaigned for legalising gay sex in 1967.
Stonewall led to equalising age of consent to 16 in 2000
how laws change: homosexuality: political packing
Roy Jenkins
why laws change over time: Gun Control Laws
1987 Berkshire, Michael Ryan shot and killed 16 people
1996 Dunblane Primary School, 16 children killed 1 teacher
how laws changed: gun control laws: campaigns
The Snowdrop campaign organised a petition collecting 750,000 signatures for a change in law
how laws are applied diffrently due to circumstances: Differetntial enforcement of law
the law is not enforced equally.
moral panics (london riots) and typifications can lead to offender being treated differently (ideas police have on a typical steryotype)
how laws are applied diffrently due to circumstances: Age of criminal responsibility
laws can be applied fiffrently if one is below the age of criminal responsibility (10). a child is deemed to not have the capacity to commit crime.
- treated diffrently by Justice System. Special magistartes court, no formality
how laws are applied diffrently due to circumstances: Homicide
- Diminished responsibility
- Automatism
- Loss of Control
