1.2 (social construct)

• Polygamy is having more than one husband or wife at one time
• polygamy is legal in 58 countries - Muslim majority find it acceptable
• Polygamy is illegal in most countries including the UK
• Polygamy varies in culture due to religion (Muslim) and tradition (African society norm)
• Adultery is a sexual act between 2 people where 1+ is married to another
• Adultery is legal in the UK and illegal in Muslim majority countries
• Adultery varies due to religion (Christianity) and due to the position of women (women being subordinate)
• Homosexuality is sexual acts between members if the same sex
• Homosexuality is legal in the UK, Europe and most of the world. It is banned to be promoted in Russia
• homosexuality is illegal in many Muslim majority countries. male homosexuality is illegal in 72 countries and for women in 45 countries
• Homosexuality varies in culture due to religion (traditionally Christianity condemns), public opinion (where religion is influential) and due to sexism
• Possession of cannabis - personal use is more acceptable than growing and selling
• Cannabis was legalised for medical and recreational use in some countries and has legalised sale in Canada. in Portugal it is decriminalised for personal use
• Cannabis is illegal in the UK and can lead to 14 years in prison
• Cannabis varies in culture due to differing norms and values (attitudes and individual freedom) and different ideas on controlling drug use (country may have tough stance or take out of supplier hands by legalising)
• Honour crime is where a person is accused of bringing shame on the family or community.
• Honour crime is illegal in the UK but can take place in South Asian and Middle Eastern families
• Honour crime varies due to being justifiable on religious grounds and having originated from tribal customs
• Capital punishment (hanging) was abolished in 1965 and corporal punishment (flogging) was abolished is 1967
• Over time the number of offences leading to physical punishment was decreased to only midget and treason

  Derek Bentley was sentenced to death for murder of police but was later found innocent
• Physical punishment has changed over time due to human rights (right to life), miscarriages of justice (irreversible) and because it is not a deterrent of crime as crime is committed in ‘heat of the moment’
• Double jeopardy is that an individual cannot be tried for the same crime twice If they have already been acquitted. The criminal justice act of 2003 permits trial where new and compelling evidence is found
• in the Ann Ming campaign her daughter was murdered by their partner and the murderer later confessed however they were not sentenced due to double jeopardy. this lead to change
• Double jeopardy was necesary in the case of Stephen Lawrence there was a retrial after he was a victim of a racially motivated murder.
• The law of double jeopardy changed due to being inadequate to bring justice (ignoring evidence) and due to technology and medical advancement there was more evidence to secure a conviction
• Homosexuality was a crime for men in 1985 in the Uk but was legalised for those 21+ in England and Wales in 1967. In 2000 the age of consent was reduced to 16
• The law on homosexuality changed after the wolfenden report (after ww2) and campaigns by HLRS and Politician (Roy Jenkins) who introduced the legislation in 1967 and the equality act in 2010. Human rights concerns also changes the laws
• In Portugal the possession of drugs was changed to a civil offence in 2001. After this they had the lowest rates
• The law on drugs was changed due to public health. It was becessary to reduce the harm of it whilst rehabilitating the offenders.
• Gun control is illegal in the UK. In 1997 gun laws tightened
• In the UK there was 2 mass shootings . In 1987 Michael Ryan shot and killed 16 people and in 1996 Thomas Hamilton killed 16. Holden and a teacher in a school
• Gun laws changed due to the snowdrop campaign (parents petition of 750,000 signatures) and due to the gun control network campaigning for tighter gun control laws
• The law on protecting children was instituted to keep children protected and nurtured. This is due to the 2004 children’s act, compulsory schooling in 1880 and children’s rights
• Laws on protecting children changed due to concern over children’s welfare (especially in western society) and exclusion from paid work and compulsory schooling
• Prostitution is not illegal however soliciting (selling sex for money in public) is illegal. laws called for decriminaligation to protect women. it also decreased due to a decline in religion
• vagrancy is a criminal act from 1824. It was to clear the streets and prevent crime however now there is more acceptance of reasons for homelessness and concern over the welfare of homeless people
• Laws can be applied differently depending on the case. In London 2011 there was a moral panic leading to harsher sentencing. the case of the Mod and Rockers in 1960 the people were given harsher sentences to teach them a lesson
• Chambliss suggests police have typifies of criminals and will question certain people and police in certain areas
• The age of criminal responsibility is 10 years of old. Age 10-17 are taken to youth court to be sentenced less harsh
• The homocide act (1957) has 3 special depending to plead not guilty. These are diminished responsibility (mental condition), loss of control (partial defence), and automation (not conscious chosen to commit)