criminology- unit 2 - AC 1.2

why do laws differ

place, time, culture and circumstances

what is bigamy

when someone marries another when already legally married

where is bigamy illegal/ legal

legal in 58 countries but illegal in UK and Turkey

why do laws on bigamy vary

because of religion (e.g. Qur’an permits Muslims to have up to 4 wives) and tradition (bigamy is traditionally practiced in some African societies)

what is adultery

a sexual act between 2 people, one or both are married

where is adultery legal/illegal

legal in UK and India, but illegal in Philippines

why do laws on adultery vary ?

because of religion and the position of women

where are guns legal/illegal

legal in USA, illegal in UK

why do gun laws vary ?

due to an event that changed views and prompted change

what event changed views on gun laws ?

Dunblane massacre, where a man shot at a primary school, killing children and teachers

why do laws vary from cultures

religion (secularisation)

tradition

how childhood is perceived

women’s rights

what are circumstances laws are applied differently in ?

moral panics

age of crim responsibility

homicide

typification

2 examples of how time affects laws

child labour laws (13 th century children seen as mini adults- worked as young as 3 - now children cant work till 13 + cant be full time till 18)

voting (before 1918 women couldn’t vote in elections - now have equal voting rights to men)

why do laws vary over time

secularisation

change in views on human rights

2 examples of how place place effects laws

age of consent (uk- 16, Philippines- 12)

homosexuality (uk- legal, have adoption and marriage rights etc, Jamaica- illegal, buggery= 10 years prison + hard labour)