1.2 Flashcards
(4 cards)
What is meant by “crime is a social construct”?
Society at the time decides what criminal behaviour is through the norms, values, laws and those in power at the time. Crime is not universal, varies across the world and time periods.
Why does crime vary across different cultures? Give examples
Due to religion, political resistance, different values and norms.
E.g- Same sex marriage
Legal: Most western countries (USA, france, germany, spain, Uk, australia, brazil, greece)
Not legal: Italy, Czech republic
However homosexuality is legal there
E.g Polygamy
Legal: some African, middle east and asian countries (Algeria, Niger, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen.) Some only allow muslims to perform polygamy (India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan)
Illegal: Europe, Australia, America, Uk (bigamy)
How does crime change over time? Give examples
social values and society evolves causing for decriminalisation or criminalisation.
E.g Capital punishment (execution):
Offences warranting the death penalty decreased over time as society evolved.
Capital punishment was abolished in 1965 (Uk)
why it changed?
Seen to violate human rights.
An executed person can’t be pardoned from a miscarriage of justice (mistakes).
Death penalty wasn’t an efficient crime deterrent.
E.g Homosexuality
-All acts illegal 1885, max life imprisonment
- Acts became legal for men over 21 in 1967
-age of consent became 18 in 1994
-then became 16 in 2000 (like heterosexuality)
-Gay marriage legalised 2014
why was the law changed?
-human rights movement
-changing attitudes
-medical understanding
-legal and constitutional challenges
-international pressure
-religion
-moral panic
How do laws apply differently depending on circumstances?
-Killing in self-defense vs. premeditated murder.
-Age of consent
-Legal drinking age
- Age of criminal responsibility (Uk is 10)
