AC 1.2-Social construction Flashcards
(9 cards)
What does social construction mean?
Something made/defined by society rather than occurring naturally. All criminality is a social construct
Polygamy (as a social construct)
-practice of having more than 1 spouse at a time
-polyGYNY=a man having more than one wife
-polyANDRY=a woman having more than one husband
-legal is most Muslim countries
Adultery=sexual act between two people and at least 1 in married
-most countries see it as deviant, but not illegal
-criminalised in most muslim countries, illegal in 21 unites states
Homosexuality (as a social construct)
-sexual acts between 2 people of the same sex
-legal in Europe, UK, north and south America
-crime in many Muslim countries except Indonesia–>has largest Muslim population
-male homosexuality=illegal in 72 countries, female=45
-secular societies=social norms are more tolerant and inclusive
How have laws changed over time?
(Homosexuality)
-homosexuality was once illegal
-decriminalized in England & Wales, age of consent is 21 years old=SEXUAL OFFENCE ACT
-1994=age of consent=18
-2000=age of consent=16
-2004=permitted civil partnerships
2014=legalized marriage of same sex couples
-social norms=more tolerant views
-UK is now more secular ever over the last century
How have laws changed over time?
(smoking)
-use to be wildly accepted–>doctors gave to patients to calm nerves
-HEALTH ACT 2006=smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces is illegal
2012=illegal to display cigs in shops over a certain size, changed to all shops in 2015
-2015 illegal to smoke in a vehicle with anyone under 18 due to advanced health knowledge on its dangers + highly addictive nature
how do laws change in different places?
(Cannabis)
-Illegal in England and Wales but been calls to decriminalize it and allow its use for medical reasons. Legal in some US states
-Durham=don’t prioritize those who grow for personal use.
-Portugal and Netherlands=legal for recreation and medical use
-most places depends on how issues of cannabis develops over time
-police forces are entitles to prioritize relevant issues in the district
-US depends on view of elected officials
how do laws change in different places?
(Jaywalking)
-an offence in most urban places (USA, Canada, Poland)
-not an offence in the UK–>seen as personal responsibility
-some believe state should intervene for personal safety
how are laws applied differently?
(Moral panic)
-London riots 2011-anyone committed theft was given a more severe sentences than usual–>moral panic fueled government and media
-mod & rockers right 1960–>harsher sentences to deter others from acting that way again
-Chambis: middle-class “saints” and WC “roughnecks”
-Piliavan = stereotypes impact decisions to arrest (class, gender, ethnicity)
what are the laws regarding age of criminal responsibility?
-a child below a certain age may not be able to understand their crime and get lenient treatment
-UK age 10, lowest in Europe
-youth magistrates=10-17 years old, less formal and dont send anyone to prison
