Social Construction Of Criminality Flashcards
(6 cards)
What is meant by the social construction of crime?
Refers to something that has been made or defined by society, rather than occurring naturally. What counts as criminal is simply which ever acts society define as criminal in that time or place.
Why do laws change from culture to culture?
-religion
-tradition
-different norms and values
What are some laws that differ between cultures?
-adultery
-cannabis
-homosexuality
What is meant by adultery and why does it differ from culture to culture?
Sexual act between two people whom are married.
Adultery is legal in most countries including the UK, and in India it stopped being a crime in 2018.
However it is illegal in most Muslim countries and several Christian countries in Africa.- the punishments ranges from a fine to stoning to death.
-religion condemns adultery, not committing adultery is one of the Ten Commandments shared by Christianity Islam and Judaism.
What is meant by homosexuality and why does it differ from culture to culture?
Sexual acts between members of the same sex.
Homosexuality is legal in the UK, Europe, North and South America.
However it is illegal in many Muslim countries and in six countries it can result in the death penalty, in some countries such as Russia it is not illegal but the law bans its promotion.
-many religions such as Christianity and Islam traditionally condemns homosexuality, therefore countries where religion has a string influence over law making are more likely to have laws making homosexuality a crime.
What is meant by cannabis and why does it differ from culture to culture?
The consumption of many substances like cannabis are regulated by law due to the effect they have on health and behaviour.
Some places have legalised possessions for personal recreation or medical use, while others have legalised its sale, including Canada and Uruguay.
However in the UK, possessions can be punished with up to 5 years in prison and supply with 14 years.
It differs from culture to culture because of different norms and values as laws reflects the differences in norms.
