AC1.2 social construction of crime

• What does social construction refer to in criminology?

  Crime is made up by society, not natural
• How can one society's view of crime differ from another's?

  Different cultures define acts as criminal
• How do societal changes affect the definition of crime?

  Ideas about crime can change over time
• What is polygamy?

  Having more than one husband or wife
• In how many countries is polygyny legal?

  About 58 countries
• What is the difference between polygyny and polyandry?

  Polygyny is one man with multiple wives
• Why is polygamy legal in some Muslim countries?

  The Quran permits men to have multiple wives
• What is the crime of bigamy?

  Marrying while still married to someone else
• What are the punishments for bigamy in the UK?

  Up to seven years imprisonment or fine
• What is adultery?

  Sexual act between a married person and another
• In which country did adultery only become legal in 2018?

  India
• Why is adultery criminalized in some countries?

  Influence of religion on law-making
• What is the punishment for adultery in some countries?

  Caning or stoning to death
• What is the position of women in societies with strict adultery laws?

  Women are often punished more severely
• What is the legal status of homosexuality in the UK?

  Legal
• In how many countries is homosexuality illegal?

  72 countries
• Why does the legal status of homosexuality vary between cultures?

  Influence of religion on law-making
• What is the age of criminal responsibility in the UK?

  10 years old
• What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?

  Manslaughter has extenuating circumstances
• What is the age of criminal responsibility in Canada?

  12 years old
• What are the sentencing options available for manslaughter?

  Prison, community service, fine, or discharge
• What is the mandatory sentence for murder?

  Life imprisonment
• What factors contribute to the variation of laws across cultures?

  • Religion
  • Tradition
  • Societal norms
  • Historical context
• What is the charge that can be used instead of murder?

  Manslaughter
• What distinguishes manslaughter from murder?

  Manslaughter lacks malice aforethought
• What sentencing options are available for manslaughter?

  Prison, community service, fine, discharge
• What is consent in legal terms?

  Permission for a crime to occur
• What is self-defense in legal terms?

  Defense against unlawful force
• What does automatism refer to in legal context?

  Lack of control over one's actions
• How do laws change over time?

  Through shifts in societal attitudes
• What is the significance of the Wolfenden Report?

  • Published in 1957
  • Recommended decriminalization of homosexual behavior
  • Suggested consensual acts in private should not be criminal
• What act was introduced in 1533 regarding homosexuality?

  The Buggery Act
• What punishment did the Buggery Act impose?

  Hanging for anal sex
• When was the last execution for sodomy in the UK?

  1835
• What did the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861 change?

  Removed the death penalty for homosexual acts
• What significant change occurred in 1885 regarding homosexual acts?

  Included all sexual activity between males
• What was the outcome of Oscar Wilde's conviction?

  Two years of hard labor
• What was the age of consent for homosexuals in 1994?

  18 years
• What did the 2001 Sexual Offenses Amendment Act achieve?

  Lowered the age of consent to 16
• What did the Civil Partnership Act of 2005 allow?

  Same-sex couples to have civil partnerships