Unit 2 Criminological theories AC1.2

Question 1

what does socially contructed mean

Answer 1

refers to an idea that is created by society and its social and cultural practice eg pink for girls and blue for boys

Question 2

what are the three things you could get asked on in this AC

Answer 2

how laws change form culture to culture
how laws change over time
how laws are applied differently according to circumstance in which action occur

Question 3

give some examples of where laws change from culture to culture

Answer 3

polygamy- legal= india illegal= UK
adultery- legal= uk illegal= pakistan
Jaywalking- legal uk illegal= america

Question 4

give the timeline for laws that change over time for homosexuality

Answer 4

1533- homosexuality was punishable by death under Buggary act 1533
1885- all homosexual acts between men were made a crime maximum sentence of life imprisonment
1967- officially decriminalised in england + wales (women never suffered)
2000- restrictins lifetn on homosexuals serving in the army
2005- adoption act same sex couples can adopt
Equality act 2010 outlined sexuality as a protected characteristic
2014- same sex marraige act

Question 5

name the reason for the changes in law for homosexuality

Answer 5

deep changes in core biritsh society:
wolfenden report suggested it shuld be a crime
campaigns, homsexual law reform society legalised gay sex 1967
politicians, roy jenkins, supported campaigns + as home secretary introduced necessary legislation 1967
human rights - gay men are not equal?
social - society became more tolerant after ww2 greater freedom for women (workplace, pill)

Question 6

give an example for laws changed due to circumstance/ place

Answer 6

age of criminal responsibility being 10 in the uk and 12 in scotland