Unit 2 - Social construction of crime 1.2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Four ways that crime changes between CULTURES
CULTURE
- Adultery
- Honour Crimes
- Homosexuality
- Polygamy
CULTURE
Adultery is…
CULTURE
Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse
Legal: UK
Illegal: Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
Why? Religion, the Quran states it is a sin so cultures follow this strictly, women are also often seen and treated as men’s property so any wrongdoing against them is a crime.
CULTURE
Honour crimes are..
CULTURE
Crimes committed on a family member who has brought shame on the family e.g. murder, acid attacks, mutilations or abduction
Illegal UK
Legal: Places within South Asia and the Middle East
Why? Some cultures bringing shame on the family is a terrible offence and therefore believe it is right to punish and the appropriate way to react, not challenged as it is so deeply rooted in their culture.
CULTURE
Homosexuality is..
CULTURE
The sexual intercourse between people of the same sex
Legal: UK since 1960’s
Illegal: India, Saudi Arabia, Iran
Why? Largely due to religion as both the Bible and the Quran state homosexuality is a sin and marriage should be between man and women only
CULTURE
Polygamy is..
CULTURE
The practice of having more than one wife/husband at the same time
Illegal: UK
Legal: Some Islamic countries - U.A.E, Saudi Arabia
Why? Largely due to religion as the Quran does not forbid it and in fact mentions it throughout
CULTURE
Four ways that crime changes between PLACES
PLACES
- Possession of cannabis
- Jaywalking
- Female genital mutilation
- Speeding
PLACES
Possession of cannabis is..
PLACES
A person being unlawfully in physical possession/control of cannabis
Legal: Columbia, Uruguay, U.S States including California and NYC
Illegal: England
Why? Different norms and values surrounding freedom and see drug use as victimless and also value the medical properties
PLACES
Jaywalking is..
PLACES
To cross or walk in the street unlawfully without regard for traffic
Legal: England
Illegal: Canada, Singapore
Why? Views on road safety, England sees it as a personal responsibility to cross the road safely.
PLACES
Female genital mutilation is..
PLACES
A harmful practice that involves the partial/total removal of external genitalia or other injury to genital organs for non-medical reasons
Legal: Africa, the Middle East and South Asia
Illegal: UK
Why? Due to cultural beliefs and traditions where F.G.M is seen as the norm - advanced medical knowledge in the UK understands the dangerous nature of the operation - position of women also vary
PLACES
Speeding is ..
PLACES
A person driving a motor vehicle on a road exceeding the limit imposed
Legal: Germany
Illegal: UK to exceed 70 mph on a motorway
Why? History - after Nazi dictatorship German society overcame the traumas of war by freeing itself from government restrictions and regulations
PLACES
Four ways crimes have changed over TIME
TIME
- Capital punishment
- Double jeopardy
- Prostitution
- Vagrancy
TIME
Capital punishment is..
TIME
The legally authorised killing of someone as a punishment for a crime
Legal: UK in 1964
Illegal: Since 1998
Why? Changed due to changing norms and values as it is now seen as an outdated method and we have more education on the sanctity of life - improved methods include custodial sentences for rehabilitation
TIME
Double jeopardy is..
TIME
The prosecution of someone twice for the same crime
Legal: Before 2003
Illegal: Since 2003
Why? Law at the time was inadequate for bringing justice - advanced technology and medical knowledge allows for certainty of evidence
TIME
Prostitution is..
TIME
The practice of selling sex for money
Legal: Before 2003
Illegal: Since 2003 as well as the activities surrounding it
Why? Changed due to changing norms and values and the intention of protecting women instead of stigmatising them - also less need for prostitution as more opportunities for women in education and work
TIME
Vagrancy is..
TIME
The state of being homeless
Legal: Before 1824
Illegal: Since
Why? Changing views - originally passed to clear beggars and rogues off of streets to prevent crime but society are now more sympathetic and understand there are genuine reasons for homelessness so aim to help them.
TIME
Four ways crime changes based on CIRCUMSTANCE
CIRCUMSTANCE
- Diminished responsibility
- Age
- Offending history
- Self defence
CIRCUMSTANCE
Diminished responsibility
CIRCUMSTANCE
When you are not deemed fully responsible for your actions based on your mental state
E.g. If someone mentally ill committed murder it could be reduced to manslaughter
CIRCUMSTANCE
Age
CIRCUMSTANCE
When the punishment you receive depends on your age bracket - >10 cannot be taken to court and charged, 10-17 arrested but treated different to adults, 18-25 viewed as adults but not sent to a full adult prison
E.g. 40 year old man who committed murder would be sentenced in an adult prison but a 7 year old could not be charged
CIRCUMSTANCE
Offending history
CIRCUMSTANCE
Past criminal convictions may face a harsher charge whereas someone with no criminal history may instead receive a caution
E.g. A first time offender of a crime will receive a shorter sentence to someone with many convictions
CIRCUMSTANCE
Self defence
CIRCUMSTANCE
When you can use reasonable force to protect yourself/your home if a crime is taking place against you/your home
E.g. If attacked with fists and you responded the same way but caused severe injury, you could claim self defence
CIRCUMSTANCE
