Social construction of criminality: culture

Question 1

What is polygamy?

Answer 1

Having more than one husband or wife at the same time. Includes polygyny, polyandry and bigamy

Question 2

Where is polygamy illegal?

Answer 2

Most countries

Question 3

Where is polygamy legal?

Answer 3

In certain Muslim countries e.g. India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka

Question 4

What is one reason for polygamy?

Answer 4

Religion: the Qu’ran permits Muslim men to take up to 4 wives

Question 5

What is another reason for polygamy?

Answer 5

Tradition: polygamy has traditionally been practiced in some African societies

Question 6

What is homosexuality?

Answer 6

Sexual acts between members of the same sex

Question 7

Where is homosexuality illegal?

Answer 7

75 countries outlaw male homosexuality. 45 outlaw lesbian activity. Some countries ban promotion of homosexuality e.g. Russia

Question 8

Where is homosexuality legal?

Answer 8

UK, Europe, North and South America

Question 9

What is one reason for homosexuality?

Answer 9

Religion: many religions condemn homosexuality

Question 10

What is another reason for homosexuality?

Answer 10

Public opinion: some countries have high levels of support for a ban on homosexuality

Question 11

What is a third reason for homosexuality?

Answer 11

Sexism: male homosexuality being outlawed in more countries may reflect sexist attitudes about women not being able to be attracted to members of the same sex

Question 12

What is cannabis?

Answer 12

Laws vary widely – in general possession is treated more leniently than growing/supplying

Question 13

Where is cannabis illegal?

Answer 13

UK and many other European countries

Question 14

Where is cannabis legal?

Answer 14

Legalised for medical use in Canada/some U.S. states. Decriminalised in Portugal

Question 15

What is one reason for cannabis?

Answer 15

Different norms and values: societies with greater emphasis on personal freedoms more likely to not see it as a criminal act

Question 16

What is another reason for cannabis?

Answer 16

Different ideas about how to control drug use: some governments see decriminalisation or legalisation as taking drugs out of the hands of criminals, others see cannabis as a gateway drug and seek to control its use

Question 17

What is adultery?

Answer 17

A sexual act between two people, one or both of whom are married to someone else

Question 18

Where is adultery illegal?

Answer 18

Many Muslim countries, some Christian African countries, 21 U.S. states

Question 19

Where is adultery legal?

Answer 19

Most countries, including the UK and India

Question 20

What is one reason for adultery?

Answer 20

Religion: many religions condemn adultery – this can influence law-making

Question 21

What is another reason for adultery?

Answer 21

Women’s position: many countries where women occupy a subordinate position have unequal laws which forbid adultery

Question 22

What is polygyny?

Answer 22

When a man has more than one wife at a time

Question 23

What is polyandry?

Answer 23

When a woman has more than one husband at a time

Question 24

What is bigamy?

Answer 24

An offence in the UK – being married to more than one person at the same time. Punishable by up to 7 years in prison/fine/both

Question 25

What is decriminalisation?

Answer 25

When the laws are relaxed so that punishments for a particular act are much less severe

Question 26

What is legalisation?

Answer 26

When a law is passed to make a particular act no longer a crime

Question 27

What is a gateway drug?

Answer 27

A drug such as cannabis which may lead users to try stronger drugs in future

Question 28

What is a social construction?

Answer 28

Something that has been made or defined by society rather than occurring naturally