Unit 2 Ac 1.2 Flashcards
What does Social construct of criminality mean?
Something that has been made (constructed)/ defined By society, rather than occurring naturally
Criminality is whichever act that society defined as A crime
How laws change from culture to culture - adultery
Definition of adultery?
Sexual act between two people, one or more are married.
How laws change from culture to culture- adultery
Cultures where adultery is illegal?
Most Muslim majority countries
Several Christian majority countries in Africa
21 US states
Punishment can vary from stoning to Death (rare) to caning (Malaysia) to fine (USA)
How laws change from culture to culture-adultery
Cultures where it is legal?
UK
India-stopped being A crime in 2018
How laws change from culture to culture- adultery
Why might adultery vary between cultures?
Religion → most religions condemn adultery
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10 commandments
Position of women → laws against adultery- socited when women occupy A subordinate role
How laws change from culture to culture- polygamy,
Definition of polygamy
The practise of having more than one or, wife husband
How laws change from culture to culture- polygamy
Cultures where polygamy is illegal??
Against The can In most countries, even Muslim countries Place restrictions on it.
Turkey AND Tunisia its A crime
UK = bigamy - 7 years in person or fine or both
How laws change from culture to culture- polygamy
Culture where polygamy is legal
Polygyny (man having 2 or more wives) is legal in 58 countries - museum majorities
Polyandry (woman haying mode than 2 husbands) only legal in A handful of countries.
↓
Himalayas
How laws change from culture to culture- polygamy
Why might The law around polygamy vary in different countries?
Religion → Quran permits Men to take up to 4 wives- reflected in laws in Muslim countries.
Mormon church practised polygamy until 1890 and still practised illegally By some aundermentalist Mormons.
Tradition → traditionally practised in some African societes- has declined in recent years.
How laws change from culture to culture- homosexuality
Definition of homosexuality?
Being sexually or romantically attracted to members of The same sex.
How laws change from culture to culture- homosexuality
Cultures where homosexuality is illegal?
64 countries have laws that criminalise homosexuality → nearly half are in Africa.
Afganistine, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Palestine, India, Saudi arabi, Yemen, Nigeria.
How laws change from culture to culture- homosexuality
Cultures where homosexuality is Not illegal?
UK - 1967 age of consent set to 21, then lowered to 18, then 16. Marriage in 2014.
Indonesia- largest Muslim community to Not criminalise
Europe
USA
Canada
How laws change from culture to culture- homosexuality
Why The law about homosexuality varies in different countries?
Religion- religious books such as The Bible are interpreted as stating homosexuality is a sin.
Public opinion- in some countries its seen as taboo or against the norm so its met with intolerance, bigotry and prejudice.
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
Definition of The act?
Drug use
Smoking weed
Getting High
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
Cultures where cannabise use is illegal?
UK - possession =5 years in prison. Supplying 14 years.
Lots of European countries - France.
Singapore, Korea, Pakistan Malaysia and japan illegal even touch cannabis at ace.
Malaysia - growing 1 weed plant = prison for life
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Possession of more than 200g = Death Penalty
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
Cultures where cannabis use is legal?
Some places have legalised possession for recreational on medical use
Canada + 21 USA states legalised its sale
Portugal - decriminalised possession for personal use
Netherlands- use is decriminalised, coffee shops allowed to sell it (no more than 5g per person)
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
Why does the law around cannibis use vary in different countries?
Different norms and values
Different ideas about how best to control drug use
↓
Some societies take A tough stance to deter drug use - use severe punishments
Decriminalisation - way to take drugs out of The hands of Criminal suppliers
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
3 arguments for legalising the possession of cananabis for personal use
Medical use
Money for economy
Police focus on more pressing crime
Lowers crime rate
How laws change from culture to culture- cannabis
3 arguments against legalising cannabisfor personal use
Gateway drug
Mental Health issues
Slippery slope
How laws change over time-homosexuality
What was The 1533 buggery act?
Made sex between 2 Men illegal
How laws change over time-homosexuality
What was the 1885 Criminal law amendment act?
Made homosexuality illegal
How laws change over time-homosexuality
What was the 1967 sexual offences act?
Decriminalised homosexual acts between Men over 21
How laws change over time-homosexuality
What was The 1994 Criminal Justice and public order act?
Lowered The age of consent to 18
How laws change over time-homosexuality
What was The 2000 sexual offences amendment ?
Lowered age of consent to 16 - equal with heterosexual age ofconsent
How laws change over time-homosexuality
How did the wolfendon report help change the law?
After the 2ND world war there was an increase in the prosecution of gay men
1954 over 1,000 Men in prison
Government set up committee under sir John to consider reform of the law
Recommended that homosexual acts in private between consenting adults over 18 be legalised.
How laws change over time-homosexuality
How did campaigns help change the law?
Homosexual law reform society → successfully campaigned for The change in law that legalised Gay sex in 1967
Stonewall and The campaign for homosexual equality → led eventually to equalising the age of consent to 16
How laws change over time-homosexuality
How did politicians help change the law?
Introduced legislation such as equality act 2010 → outlaws discrimination on The grounds of sexual orientation
How laws change over time-homosexuality
How did Human Rights help change the law?
India → supreme Court decided the state has No right to control citizens private lives.
UK → concerns with equal Rights underline changed in law
How laws change over time- gun control laws
What 2 Mass shootings changed The UK’s laws governing access to firearms?
1) 1987 - Michael Ryan, an unemployed antiques dealer, shot and killed 16 people in hungerFord ‘ Berkshire
2) 1996 - 16 children and one teacher were shot dead at dunblane primary School wear starling in Scotland By Thomas Hamilton, an unemployed former scout leader.
How laws change over time- gun control laws
What changed in 1997?
The law was tightened following A government inquiry
Conservative government introduced an act banning all hand guns except . 22 single shot weapons
Labour then introduced a second firearm amendment act banning all handguns
How laws change over time- gun control laws
Reasons why The law changed?
Main reason -public outcry following hungerford and Duncan
Important campaigns - gun control network, The snow drop campaign
How laws change over time- laws related to children
What has changed over Time in regards to children and work?
The idea in society today is that childhood is A Time of happiness and innocence and children need to be protected from The adult world and its dangers
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It wasn’t always like this- until The 13th century The idea of childhood didn’t exist and children were forced to work from an early age with The same Rights AND duties as everyone else, law made No distinction between children and adults
How laws change over time- laws related to children
Changes In The law ?
Compulsory School- introduced in The 1880s, ensured basic education For all, kept children out of paid work.
Child protection and welfare legislation- children act 2004, fundamental principle was Childs welfare underpinned work suck as Social services
Changes in laws concerning physical punishment -
In The past criminals couch be punished by…?
Capital punishment ( hanging, lethal infection, electric chair)
Corporal punishment ( beating, caning, branding with hot iron, mutilation)
Changes in laws concerning physical punishment -
Over Time The number off offences carrying The death penalty were reduced until it only remains for…?
Murder and treason
Changes in laws concerning physical punishment -
When was capital punishment abolished?
1965
Changes in laws concerning physical punishment -
When was corporal punishment abolished?
1967
Changes in laws concerning physical punishment -
Reasons For The change in law?
Breach of Human Rights (right to life)
Nothing can be done about A miscarriage of justice
Doesn’t act as A deterrent - most murders committed in The heat of The moment
