Unit 2 topic 1 social construction of criminality Flashcards
what is the social construction of crime?
the idea that crime is a product of the situation in which it takes place
why might laws change from culture to culture?
some countries possess different
beliefs,sexism,customs,norms/values,religions
what circumstances change how a law is dished out?
circumstances such as-
diminished responsibility
loss of control
age of offenders
what’s one of the reasons why laws change overtime?
the values and moral beliefs of people change overtime
give an example of a law which has changed overtime?
smoking
it use to be fully legalised to smoke inside a car
now in 2017 it is illegal
what is the age of criminal responsibility?
the age at which offenders must take criminal responsibility examples- UK- 10 years old Canada- 12 years old Bangladesh- 9 years old China- 16 years old
why laws be different according to the place it occurs?
Different crimes are policed differently in different countries, or even in different places within the same country.
A example of a law which varies from culture to culture?
Homosexuality-
- was originally illegal in the UK
- decriminalised in 1967 (the sexual offences act)
- now legal in the UK and Canada
- illegal in saudia arabia and india
why do laws differ over time?
the publics opinion change
why do laws vary depending on culture?
due to religion, beliefs and traditions
why do laws differ depending on the place in which they took place?
crime is policed differently due to geographical location
a example of a law which is different due to place?
cannabis use
legal-Netherlands
illegal-UK
what are norms?
Specific rules or socially accepted standards that guide and govern our behaviour in particular situations.
what are values?
General guidelines or principles for how we should live our lives.
what are morals?
A set of rules or guidelines that a person or group of people follow in order to live a life that is good and moral.
