Criminology unit 2- how social changes affect policy development

What are social values?

General guidelines about how people believe we should live our lives right and wrong etc. They are shared by most people in a culture

What are norms?

Social expectations about how we should behave. It is an expected specific behaviour e.g. queuing. They can differ across cultures

What are mores?

Society’s most important moral rules that are vital for maintaining standards of civilised behaviour. They are ideas that a culture would think of as too serious to break e.g. murder

What were the norms values and mores regarding SMOKING of the PAST?

Norm- in the 1930s it was a social norm to smoke cigarettes and such behaviour was acceptable

Values- smoking was glamourised and encouraged even by doctors. Society looks up to celebrities and values glamour.

Mores- smoking was not seen as immoral or a bad way of behaving in fact there were many adverts encouraging smoking

What are the norms values and mores regarding SMOKING of the PRESENT? What were the reasons for this change?

Norms- smoking is not only frowned upon it is no longer expected behaviour or a norm, instead, not smoking is becoming the norm

Values- to smoke is no longer seen as glamorous as society’s attitudes have changed. To see a celebrity smoking is no longer a sign of glamour and instead can sometimes be the opposite. We still value glamour but don’t associate smoking with it anymore

Mores- smoking is now viewed as much more seriously and is also illegal and in some cases making it immoral for example smoking whilst pregnant.

These changes happened because from the mid 1950s several pieces of research were published that confirmed a link between tobacco products and lung cancer

What were some new law/policies introduced as a result of changed views on SMOKING?

• by the end of 1965 tobacco companies were required to put warning labels on its products and warn the public of health risks associated with smoking

• The children and families act 2015 prohibited smoking in vehicles when children are present

• The health act 2006 banned smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces

What were the norms values and mores regarding HOMOSEXUALITY in the PAST?

Norms- socially unacceptable to be gay

Values- we didn’t see individual right as important in regards to sexuality which was reflected by laws e.g. in the 19th century the law prohibited any sexual activity between males and in the 1950s there were several high profile arrests for acts of homosexual indecency

Mores- society was very religious in the past and it was seen as immoral to be gay e.g. in the 16th century homosexual acts were punishable by death

What are the norms values and mores regarding HOMOSEXUALITY of the PRESENT? What were the reasons for this change?

Norms- socially acceptable to be in a same sex relationship

Values- we see individual right as important and no business of the cjs

Mores- morally we see it as unacceptable to discriminate against people because of their sexuality

These changes happened because culture and structure of society has changed, secularisation, generally people don’t fear or believe in god and so ideologies from the bible are no longer followed, each new generation develops an enhanced tolerance which moves forward with them, campaigns such as Stonewall, and the wolfendon report.

What were some laws/policies introduced as a result of change in views on HOMOSEXUALITY?

• 1967 homosexuality was decriminalised in England and wales with the age of consent for homosexuality set at 21

• Stonewall campaigned for equal rights for same sex couples and in 2004 the Civil Partnership Act allowed this

• Equality Act 2010 made it a criminal offence to discriminate based on sexual orientation

• Homosexuality was fully legalised under the Same sex couples act 2014

What were the norms values and mores regarding DRINK DRIVING of the PAST?

Norm- drinking and driving was more accepted. People didn’t see it as very dangerous it was the norm

Values- there were fewer strong beliefs against it. Some even thought it was normal or funny which was valued at the time.

Mores- not immoral to drink drive. Laws were not well enforced. Police didn’t test drivers as much. Government showed little interest e.g. in 1925 the first law was passed making drunk driving an offence but there was no clear definition of drunk and no legal limit

What are the norms values and mores regarding DRINK DRIVING of the PRESENT? What were the reasons for these changes?

Norms- it is socially unacceptable to get into a car drunk

Values- society now sees drink driving as irresponsible and dangerous. There are strong beliefs that it’s wrong and should be punished. This is because we value safety and respect to others.

Mores- it is seen as unethical and immoral if a person is drink diving as they can cause harm to another person.

These changes happened because of more research showed how dangerous it is, increase in road deaths caused by drunk drivers, public pressure for safety, media and government campaigns helped change opinions e.g. think campaign

What are some policies that were introduced as a result of change in views on DRINK DRIVING?

• 1967- road safety act introduced a blood alcohol limit of 80mg pers 100ml of blood and it became an offence to be in charge of a vehicle with a level above this

• 1983- the high risk offender scheme was introduced for convicted drivers with an alcohol problem

• 1991- a new offence of causing death by driving while under the influence was introduced with a compulsory prison sentence of up to 5 years which was increased to 14 years in 2014

• Police reform and social rehabilitation act 2011 gives police more power to test and arrest suspected drunk drivers

What were the norms values and mores regarding IMMIGRATION AND RACISM in the PAST?

Norms- it was socially acceptable to discriminate against someone and hold prejudices against ethnic minorities. People held racist stereotypes. Name calling was the norm. Immigrants were often seen as outsiders or a threat.

Values- equality wasn’t seen as important especially with the different wages of immigrants. Many people believe Britain should mainly be for white British citizens. It was legal to discriminate against a person based on race which led to exploitation by landlords.

Mores- it was not immoral to discriminate. Common wealth Immigrants Act 1962 - restricted immigration from former British colonies.

What are the norms values and mores regarding IMMIGRATION AND RACISM in the PRESENT? What are the reasons for this change?

Norms- no longer socially acceptable to be racially stereotypical and hold prejudice views

Values- there has been a cultural change in society. We see equality as important. Changes in laws encourage us to change our behaviour

Mores- racism is seen as unethical and immoral

The reasons for these changes are that there’s more education and awareness about racism and its harm, immigration brought more cultural understanding and diversity, campaigns protests (like BLM) and media helped shift public opinions, government responded to pressure with strong laws

What are the laws/policies that were introduced as a result of change in views on IMMIGRATION AND RACISM?

• Race relations act (1965/68/76) made it illegal to treat people unfairly based on their race skin colour or ethnic backgrounds. First law to protect people from racism and promote equality

• Human rights act (1998) gives everyone in the UK rights like the right to live, safety and freedom from discrimination

• Immigration and Asylum Act (1999) created systems to support and house asylum seekers while their applications are processed

• Equality Act (2010) brings together and strengthens all previous anti-discrimination laws