AC 1.2: Explain the social construction of criminality.
Crime is a social construct- this means that society decides what is criminal behaviour
and what is not.
How laws change from culture to culture
Adultery:
- Defined as sexual relations between a married person and somebody other
than their spouse.
- It is not considered a criminal offence in the UK, through may have legal
consequences when it comes to divorce proceedings.
- Legal in all European countries
- Illegal in many countries governed by Islamic law such as Saudi Arabia.
- The law varies in different countries mostly due to the fact of religion. For
example the bible states that adultery is a sin.
Honour crimes:
- Crimes where the accuse has brought shame upon the family. It could include
being killed for refusing to enter into an arranged marriage.
- Most actions under this category would be considered a crime, e.g. murder
- Most honour crimes take place within south Asian and middle eastern
families, where it is deemed more acceptable.
- Illegal in most countries- UK, Europe, USA.
- The law differs due to the acts originating from tribal customs.
Polygamy:
- Having more than one spouse at the same time. Polygyny is where a man may
take two or more wives. Polyandry is where a woman may take two or more
husbands.
- Is legal in 58 countries. Polyandry is confined to a handful of societies, e.g.
Himalayas.
- Its legal in majority Muslim countries. Illegal in UK, 7 years imprisonment for
the offence of bigamy.
- The Quran allows a man to have up to 4 wives, hence polygamy’s legal status
in Muslim countries.
Homosexuality:
- Defined as sexual attraction between people of the same sex.
- Once was illegal in the UK, now legal with same sex marriage
- Legal in UK, Europe, USA and Canada
- Illegal in India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Nigeria.
Crime is a social construct- this means that society decides what is criminal behaviour
and what is not.
How laws change from culture to culture
Adultery:
- Defined as sexual relations between a married person and somebody other
than their spouse.
- It is not considered a criminal offence in the UK, through may have legal
consequences when it comes to divorce proceedings.
- Legal in all European countries
- Illegal in many countries governed by Islamic law such as Saudi Arabia.
- The law varies in different countries mostly due to the fact of religion. For
example the bible states that adultery is a sin.
Honour crimes:
- Crimes where the accuse has brought shame upon the family. It could include
being killed for refusing to enter into an arranged marriage.
- Most actions under this category would be considered a crime, e.g. murder
- Most honour crimes take place within south Asian and middle eastern
families, where it is deemed more acceptable.
- Illegal in most countries- UK, Europe, USA.
- The law differs due to the acts originating from tribal customs.
Polygamy:
- Having more than one spouse at the same time. Polygyny is where a man may
take two or more wives. Polyandry is where a woman may take two or more
husbands.
- Is legal in 58 countries. Polyandry is confined to a handful of societies, e.g.
Himalayas.
- Its legal in majority Muslim countries. Illegal in UK, 7 years imprisonment for
the offence of bigamy.
- The Quran allows a man to have up to 4 wives, hence polygamy’s legal status
in Muslim countries.
Homosexuality:
- Defined as sexual attraction between people of the same sex.
- Once was illegal in the UK, now legal with same sex marriage
- Legal in UK, Europe, USA and Canada
- Illegal in India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Nigeria.
