Criminology Unit 2 AC 1.2 - Explain the
social construction of criminality
social construction of criminality - correct answer-something that has been made or defined
by society rather than simply occurring naturally.
What constitutes criminality are acts society defines as criminal.
as society changes over time, the ideas about what is a crime also change.
Polygamy - correct answer-Is the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the
same time. There are two forms,
What are the 2 forms of polygamy? - correct answer-1) Polygyny where a man has two or
more wives
2) Polyandry where a woman has two or more husbands
In how many countries is polygyny legal - correct answer-Polygyny is legal in 58 countries
Polygyny is legal in most Muslim-majority countries.
In how many countries is polyandry legal - correct answer-polyandry is confined to a handful
of societies mainly in the Himalayas
Where is polygamy a crime? - correct answer-Polygamy is against the law in most countries.
In the UK it is illegal. If someone gets married to more than one person at a time, the person
is committing the crime of bigamy which is punishable up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine or
both.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures: Polygamy - correct answer-1) Religion: The
Quran permits Muslim men to have up to 4 wives and this is reflected in most
Muslim-majority countries.
In the USA, the Mormon Church practised polygamy until 1890. It continues to be practised
illegally by fundamentalist Mormon splinter groups.
2) Tradition: Polygamy has traditionally been practised in West African societies from
Senegal through to Tanzania but in recent decades it has been declining.
What is adultery? - correct answer-Involves sexual act between two people, one or both of
whom is married to another person. What amounts to sexual acts differs between cultures
and states.
Where is a adultery crime? - correct answer-Most Muslim- majority countries and several
Christian- majority countries in Africa criminalise adultery. The Philippines, Taiwan and 21 US
states do too.
, What are the punishments for adultery? - correct answer-Vary ranges from stoning to death
(rarely happens), to caning (Malaysia and Indonesia) to a fine (Rohde Island).
Where is adultery legal? - correct answer-In most countries including the UK it is not a
criminal offence. In 2008 India decriminalised adultery and Korea did so too in 2015.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures: Adultery - correct answer-Religion - most
religions i.e Christianity, Judaism and Islam condemn adultery. In societies where law-making
has been strongly influenced by religion, adultery has often been made a crime.
The position of women - laws against adultery are often found in societies where women
occupy a subordinate role. In such societies, the adultery laws are themselves unequal.
What is homosexuality - correct answer-Sexual acts between two people of the same sex
are treated as a criminal offence in a number of countries.
Where is homosexuality crime? - correct answer-Male homosexuality is illegal in 72 countries
and in 45 so are lesbian relationships. In 6 countries conviction can result in the death
penalty. In Russia homosexuality is not illegal but prevents the promotion.
Where is homosexuality legal? - correct answer-It is legal in the UK, Europe and North and
South America. Homosexuality is illegal in many Muslim countries. However, in Indonesia the
worlds largest Muslim state population it is legal.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures - Homosexuality - correct answer-Religions -
Such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam condemn homosexuality. Countries, where religion
influences the law-making process, will have laws that make homosexuality a criminal
offence. Secular societies where religion has less influence are more tolerant of sexual
diversity.
Public opinion - Pew Research Center polls show that there are higher levels of support for a
ban on homosexuality in some countries such as Egypt and Russia.
Sexism - Male homosexuality is a crime in more countries than lesbianism. Argued this is
due to sexist assumptions that women are incapable of same-sex attraction by male
lawmakers.
Timeline of homosexuality - correct answer-1885 - Homosexuality acts illegal with a life
imprisonment sentence
1967 - Sexual acts between of males is legalised for 21+
1994 - Age of consent reduced to 18
2000 - 16, in line with heterosexuals
2013 - Gay marriage legalised
social construction of criminality
social construction of criminality - correct answer-something that has been made or defined
by society rather than simply occurring naturally.
What constitutes criminality are acts society defines as criminal.
as society changes over time, the ideas about what is a crime also change.
Polygamy - correct answer-Is the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the
same time. There are two forms,
What are the 2 forms of polygamy? - correct answer-1) Polygyny where a man has two or
more wives
2) Polyandry where a woman has two or more husbands
In how many countries is polygyny legal - correct answer-Polygyny is legal in 58 countries
Polygyny is legal in most Muslim-majority countries.
In how many countries is polyandry legal - correct answer-polyandry is confined to a handful
of societies mainly in the Himalayas
Where is polygamy a crime? - correct answer-Polygamy is against the law in most countries.
In the UK it is illegal. If someone gets married to more than one person at a time, the person
is committing the crime of bigamy which is punishable up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine or
both.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures: Polygamy - correct answer-1) Religion: The
Quran permits Muslim men to have up to 4 wives and this is reflected in most
Muslim-majority countries.
In the USA, the Mormon Church practised polygamy until 1890. It continues to be practised
illegally by fundamentalist Mormon splinter groups.
2) Tradition: Polygamy has traditionally been practised in West African societies from
Senegal through to Tanzania but in recent decades it has been declining.
What is adultery? - correct answer-Involves sexual act between two people, one or both of
whom is married to another person. What amounts to sexual acts differs between cultures
and states.
Where is a adultery crime? - correct answer-Most Muslim- majority countries and several
Christian- majority countries in Africa criminalise adultery. The Philippines, Taiwan and 21 US
states do too.
, What are the punishments for adultery? - correct answer-Vary ranges from stoning to death
(rarely happens), to caning (Malaysia and Indonesia) to a fine (Rohde Island).
Where is adultery legal? - correct answer-In most countries including the UK it is not a
criminal offence. In 2008 India decriminalised adultery and Korea did so too in 2015.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures: Adultery - correct answer-Religion - most
religions i.e Christianity, Judaism and Islam condemn adultery. In societies where law-making
has been strongly influenced by religion, adultery has often been made a crime.
The position of women - laws against adultery are often found in societies where women
occupy a subordinate role. In such societies, the adultery laws are themselves unequal.
What is homosexuality - correct answer-Sexual acts between two people of the same sex
are treated as a criminal offence in a number of countries.
Where is homosexuality crime? - correct answer-Male homosexuality is illegal in 72 countries
and in 45 so are lesbian relationships. In 6 countries conviction can result in the death
penalty. In Russia homosexuality is not illegal but prevents the promotion.
Where is homosexuality legal? - correct answer-It is legal in the UK, Europe and North and
South America. Homosexuality is illegal in many Muslim countries. However, in Indonesia the
worlds largest Muslim state population it is legal.
Reasons why the law varies between cultures - Homosexuality - correct answer-Religions -
Such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam condemn homosexuality. Countries, where religion
influences the law-making process, will have laws that make homosexuality a criminal
offence. Secular societies where religion has less influence are more tolerant of sexual
diversity.
Public opinion - Pew Research Center polls show that there are higher levels of support for a
ban on homosexuality in some countries such as Egypt and Russia.
Sexism - Male homosexuality is a crime in more countries than lesbianism. Argued this is
due to sexist assumptions that women are incapable of same-sex attraction by male
lawmakers.
Timeline of homosexuality - correct answer-1885 - Homosexuality acts illegal with a life
imprisonment sentence
1967 - Sexual acts between of males is legalised for 21+
1994 - Age of consent reduced to 18
2000 - 16, in line with heterosexuals
2013 - Gay marriage legalised
