Unit 2 - Social construction of crime 1.2 Flashcards
Four ways that crime changes between cultures
Adultery
Honour Crimes
Homosexuality
Polygamy
Adultery is…
Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse
Legal in the UK
Illegal in Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
Law varies due to religion, the Quran states it is a sin so cultures follow this strictly, women are also often seen and treated as men’s property so any wrongdoing against them is a crime.
Honour crimes are..
Crimes committed on a family member who has brought shame on the family e.g. murder, acid attacks, mutilations or abduction
Illegal in the UK
Legal in places within South Asia and the Middle East
Law varies as in some cultures bringing shame on the family is a terrible offence and therefore believe it is right to punish and the appropriate way to react, not challenged as it is so deeply rooted in their culture.
Homosexuality is..
The sexual intercourse between people of the same sex
Legal in the UK since 1960’s
Illegal in India, Saudi Arabia, Iran
The law varies largely due to religion as both the Bible and the Quran state homosexuality is a sin and marriage should be between man and women only
Polygamy is..
The practice of having more than one wife/husband at the same time
Illegal in the UK
Legal in some Islamic countries - U.A.E, Saudi Arabia
Law varies largely due to religion as the Quran does not forbid it and in fact mentions it throughout
Four ways that crime changes between places
Possession of cannabis
Jaywalking
Female genital mutilation
Speeding
Possession of cannabis is..
A person being unlawfully in physical possession/control of cannabis
Legal in Columbia, Uruguay, U.S States including California and NYC
Illegal in England
Different norms and values surrounding freedom and see drug use as victimless and also value the medical properties
Jaywalking is..
To cross or walk in the street unlawfully without regard for traffic
Legal in England
Illegal in Canada, Singapore
Laws vary due to views on road safety, England sees it as a personal responsibility to cross the road safely.
Female genital mutilation is..
A harmful practice that involves the partial/total removal of external genitalia or other injury to genital organs for non-medical reasons
Legal across Africa, the Middle East and South Asia
Illegal in the UK
Laws vary due to cultural beliefs and traditions where F.G.M is seen as the norm - advanced medical knowledge in the UK understands the dangerous nature of the operation - position of women also vary
Speeding is ..
A person driving a motor vehicle on a road exceeding the limit imposed
Legal in Germany
Illegal in the UK to exceed 70 mph on a motorway
Varies due to history - after Nazi dictatorship German society overcame the traumas of war by freeing itself from government restrictions and regulations
Four ways crimes have changed over time
Capital punishment
Double jeopardy
Prostitution
Vagrancy
Capital punishment is..
The legally authorised killing of someone as a punishment for a crime
Legal in UK in 1964
Made completely illegal in 1998
Law has changed due to changing norms and values as it is now seen as an outdated method and we have more education on the sanctity of life - improved methods include custodial sentences for rehabilitation
Double jeopardy is..
The prosecution of someone twice for the same crime
Legal before 2003
Illegal since
Law at the time was inadequate for bringing justice - advanced technology and medical knowledge allows for certainty of evidence
Prostitution is..
The practice of selling sex for money
Legal before 2003
Illegal since as well as the activities surrounding it
Changed due to changing norms and values and the intention of protecting women instead of stigmatising them - also less need for prostitution as more opportunities for women in education and work
Vagrancy is..
The state of being homeless
Legal before 1824
Illegal since
Changing views - originally passed to clear beggars and rogues off of streets to prevent crime but society are now more sympathetic and understand there are genuine reasons for homelessness so aim to help them.
