AC4.2- how social change affects policy development Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are values
Values are the general priniples, beliefs of guidelines about how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong, good and bad.
What are social norms
Norms are specific rules or socially accepted standards about how we are expected to behave in specific situations
Norms can be informal unwritten rules (e.g. qeuing), or formal written laws
What are mores
Societies most important moral rules that when broken attracts severe punishment.
Name the social changes that have affected policy development
Change in public perception e.g. drink driving
Demographic changes e.g. immigration and racism
Cultural changes e.g. LGBT rights
How and why has public perception changed in relation to drink driving
It was made illegal to drink drive in 1925 but there was no clear definition of what drunk meant so police conducted field sobriety tests and introduced breathalysers
More people driving meant an increase of deaths
This meant people were increasingly worried and therefore wanted a change in laws
How have these social changes affected policy development in relation to drink driving
Introduction of breathalysers reduced death and serious injuries
Change in law- 1967 Road Safety Act, blood alcohol limit of 80 mg per 100ml of blood
Tougher laws- penalty for drink driving is now up to 6 months imprisonment, unlimited fine and a driving ban for atleast a year. These increase for repeat offenders.
Outline campaign for drink driving
Anti-Drink Driving Ads have increasingly shown the severity of drunk driving and its consequences
How have demographic changes affected attitudes towards immigration/racism?
Demographic (who makes up the population)
During the 1950/60s there was an increase of diversity in the UK due to non white immigrants moving from former British colonies.
This change stems from globalisation/ increased travel opportunities/ the windrush generation.
How have changes affected policy development in relation to immigration/racism?
Race relations act 1965- banned public racism
Race relations act 1968- outlawes discrimination in areas of housing, employment and public services based on race
Race relations act 1976- extended law to include direct and indirect discrimination
Equality Act 2010
Change in law reduced racial prejudice
What were attidues towards LGBT before the 60s
In the past religion played a powerful role in shaping people’s values and major religions taught same sex relationships were a sin
1533 Buggery Act made sodomy between men punishable by death- men were executed for this up to 1835
In 1954 there were over 1000 men in prison for homosexual activities
How have social mores changed in relation to same sex relationships
Individualism- the belief Individuals have the right to choose how they live their life as lonf as they dont harm others
Equal rights- we now believe and recognise by law people should have equal rights regardless
Secularisation- decline in traditional religion
How have changes affected policy development in relation to same sex relationships
Until the Sexual Offences Act 1967 it was a criminal offence to be gay- punishable by prison and chemical castration
Stonewall riots 1969
Equal age of consent (2000)- lowered from 21 to 18 to 16 for same sex couples
Marriage Act 2013- giving same sex couples legal status
Gender recognition Agt 2004- enable legal gender change
