Social change Flashcards
Why has social change come about? (7 reasons)
The values of society have changed.
The structure of society has changed.
Demographic changes.
The media.
The changing role of women.
Cultural changes.
Secularisation.
How has the values of society changing influenced policies?
Views and attitudes have changed, leading to change in legislation.
An example of this is the change in attitudes to homosexuality.
How has the changing structure of society influenced policy development?
Different sexes, races and religions have become more equal in society.
For example, ethnic minorities now have the same human rights as their white counterparts and discrimination based on race is illegal.
How has demographic changes influenced policy development?
Demographic changes have meant that discrimination against elderly is no longer acceptable thanks to the Equality Act.
This is because more people are living longer so are working longer.
How has the media influenced policy change?
Through reporting crimes, frequently campaigning for change or putting pressure on politicians through radio, TV, newspapers and social media, changes n laws have taken place.
Example - Sarah’s Law - Newspaper campaigns influenced a change in legislation that gave parents the power to ask if there is a convicted sex offender near them or who have access to their children.
How has the changing role of women influenced policy development?
Through campaigning and changes in the law, women are now able to vote, study, work and protect themselves across the world.
Changes in laws on marital rape and domestic violence have come about as the awareness of these issues have become more apparent.
There has been changes to the way in which criminal law and policing now respond to violence against women, e.g. Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.
Equal Pay Act ensure women get paid the same as men for doing the same job.
How have cultural change influenced policy development?
They have impacted the attitudes and laws within society, bringing about social change.
For example, death penalty was legal in the UK until 1969.
The Timothy Evans case was influential in the abolishment.
Timothy was hanged for the murder of his wife and child. Years later it was found that his family was murdered by a neighbor. This along with numerous other cases were instrumental in bringing about the cultural change that changed attitudes to the death penalty, leading to the abolition in Britain.
