AC1.2

Social construction

• refers to something that has been made or defined by society

• What counts as criminality is simply whichever acts a society defines as criminal

Homosexuality

• sexual acts between same sex

• now legal in the uk since 1967

• legal in UK, Europe and other places

• However is still a crime in many Muslim counties, Indonesia

  
  

Where is it illegal?

• male homosexuality illegal in 72 countries, female is illegal in 45 countries

• In 6 countries it can lead to the death penalty

• In Russia it’s not illegal but the law bans it promotion

• Many counties who do not criminalise homosexuality do not allow same sex couples to marry or adopt

Why does it vary in different cultures?

• RELIGION

• Many religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism have traditionally condemned homosexuality

• Countries where religion has a strong influence over law making are more likely to have laws making it a crime

• In secular societies, where religion has less influence, there is more tolerance of sexual diversity

• PUBLIC OPINION

• Some counties have more support for it than others, some countries with strong religion (e.g. Egypt 95% of people thought that homosexuality should be rejected) whereas others such as Russia are not