Unit 2 AC1.2 Explain the social construction of criminality Flashcards
What is polygamy?
Having more than one husband or wife at the same time. Includes polygyny, polyandry, and bigamy
Where is polygamy illegal?
Most countries.
Where is polygamy legal?
Mostly only in certain Muslim countries e.g. India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Why is polygamy legal in some countries?
The Qu’ran permits Muslim men to take up to 4 wives. Polygamy has traditionally been practiced in some African societies.
What are the laws on cannabis?
Laws vary widely – in general possession is treated more leniently than growing/supplying
Where is cannabis considered criminal?
UK – and many other European countries
Where has cannabis been legalized?
Legalized for medical use in Canada/some U.S. states. Decriminalized in Portugal.
Why is cannabis legal in some countries?
Societies with greater emphasis on personal freedoms are more likely to not see it as a criminal act.
Why do the laws on cannabis vary?
Decriminalization takes drugs out of the hands of criminals, while others see cannabis as a gateway drug and seek to control its use.
What is homosexuality?
Sexual acts between members of the same sex.
Where is homosexuality a crime?
75 countries outlaw male homosexuality. 45 outlaw lesbian activity. Some countries ban the promotion of homosexuality e.g., Russia.
Where is homosexuality legal?
UK, Europe, North and South America.
Why is homosexuality illegal in some places?
Religious reasons, public opinion, sexism.
What is adultery?
A sexual act between two people, one or both of whom are married to someone else.
Where is adultery a crime?
Many Muslim countries, some Christian African countries, 21 U.S. states.
Where is adultery legal?
Most countries, including the UK and India.
Why is adultery illegal in some countries?
Many religions condemn adultery, which can influence law-making.
What is polygyny?
When a man has more than one wife at a time.
What is polyandry?
When a woman has more than one husband at a time.
What is bigamy?
An offense in the UK – being married to more than one person at the same time. Punishable by up to 7 years in prison/fine/both.
What is decriminalization?
When the laws are relaxed so that punishments for a particular act are much less severe.
What is legalization?
When a law is passed to make a particular act no longer a crime.
What is a gateway drug?
A drug such as cannabis which may lead users to try stronger drugs in the future.
What is a social construction?
Something that has been made or defined by society rather than occurring naturally.
What is the Wolfenden Report?
A report that recommended that private acts over 21 be legalized in 1957.
State three organizations that campaigned to decriminalize homosexuality.
Homosexual Law Reform Society, Stonewall, and Campaign for Homosexual Equality.
Name a politician that campaigned to change the law on homosexuality..
Roy Jenkins
How did the changing drug laws in Portugal link to revolution?
In 1975, changed from dictatorship to democracy – increased openness led to influx of drugs.
How are drug laws in Portugal linked to public health?
State sees drug use as a public health issue and focuses on harm reduction.
How are drug laws in Portugal linked to the scale of the problem?
Sudden and rapid growth in the problem since 1975 – 1/100 of population addicted by 1990s.
How are drug laws in Portugal linked to the economy?
Belief that new law would reduce costs of drug use by 18%.
How have physical punishments in the UK changed over time?
Death penalty offenses reduced until it remained for just murder and treason. Capital punishment abolished in 1965, corporal punishment abolished in 1967.
How is the change in physical punishments linked to human rights?
Capital punishment is a breach of the right to life.
How is the change in physical punishments linked to miscarriages of justice?
If a person is wrongly found guilty and executed, nothing can be done to correct it.
How is the change in physical punishments linked to a decline in violence?
Most murders are committed in the heat of the moment without thought of possible punishment.
How have gun laws changed over time?
Following Hungerford shooting in 1987 and Dunblane in 1996, laws governing access to firearms were tightened. All handguns are now banned in the UK.
What is the GCN campaign?
Set up by lawyers, academics, and parents of victims to campaign for tighter gun control laws.
What is the snowdrop campaign?
Started by bereaved Dunblane parents and their friends, organized a petition and collected 750,000 signatures calling for a change in the law.
What is capital punishment?
Execution by hanging.
What is corporal punishment?
Included flogging, birching, branding, and being put in the stocks.
How have laws relating to children changed over time?
Children today are seen as innocent and needing protection but they used to be treated the same as adults in work and by the law.
How have laws relating to children and work changed?
In the 19th century, young children worked – a series of Factory Acts gradually excluded them from the workplace.
How have child protection and welfare laws changed?
E.g., 2004 Children Act made child’s welfare the fundamental principle underpinning the work of social services.
