AC 4.2: Explain how social changes affect policy
development.
Social change 1: Homosexuality
- Was a criminal offence in England and Wales. Society’s view started to change
in the 20th century and people began to hold more tolerant views.
- Resulted in change to government policy and the law.
- - after the Wolfenden Committee’s report 1975, which considered evidence
from the police, psychiatrists, religious leaders and the gay community,
homosexuality was decriminalised by the sexual offence act 1967.
- Civil marriages were permitted in 2004. First same sex marriage under the
marriage (same sex couple) act 2013.
- Social change for homosexuality has been influenced by the rise of
individualism as a central value within our culture- the belief that the
individual has the right to choose how to live their life as long as they are not
harming others
- Secularisation has also been a factor- decline of religion.
- As these policies have become more common in public, they have been
reflected by those who represent the public and by changing laws.
Social change 2: Smoking
- Used to be widely accepted and in 1950s doctors used to give patients cigs to
calm their nerves.
- Under the Health Act 2006 smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces
was made illegal.
- 2015, smoking in vehicles with anyone under the age of 18 was made illegal.
- Knowledge has increased over the health problems induced with smoking
therefore leading to much stricter laws regarding smoking.
- Campaigns against the smoking of cigs has also resulted in numerous
legislation being implemented. E.g. tobacco advertising and promotion act
2002- banned all tobacco promotions such as adverts.
Social change 3: Women’s Rights
- Women had very few legal and political rights in the beginning of the 20 th
century.
- Stereotyped as stay at home moms. Unmarries women were often employed
in service such as teaching, waitressing or cooking.
- Suffragette movement fought for the right to vote, women rebelled against
marriage, seeking education and equality.
- Society slowly changed its view about women. 1928 women were given the
right to vote.
development.
Social change 1: Homosexuality
- Was a criminal offence in England and Wales. Society’s view started to change
in the 20th century and people began to hold more tolerant views.
- Resulted in change to government policy and the law.
- - after the Wolfenden Committee’s report 1975, which considered evidence
from the police, psychiatrists, religious leaders and the gay community,
homosexuality was decriminalised by the sexual offence act 1967.
- Civil marriages were permitted in 2004. First same sex marriage under the
marriage (same sex couple) act 2013.
- Social change for homosexuality has been influenced by the rise of
individualism as a central value within our culture- the belief that the
individual has the right to choose how to live their life as long as they are not
harming others
- Secularisation has also been a factor- decline of religion.
- As these policies have become more common in public, they have been
reflected by those who represent the public and by changing laws.
Social change 2: Smoking
- Used to be widely accepted and in 1950s doctors used to give patients cigs to
calm their nerves.
- Under the Health Act 2006 smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces
was made illegal.
- 2015, smoking in vehicles with anyone under the age of 18 was made illegal.
- Knowledge has increased over the health problems induced with smoking
therefore leading to much stricter laws regarding smoking.
- Campaigns against the smoking of cigs has also resulted in numerous
legislation being implemented. E.g. tobacco advertising and promotion act
2002- banned all tobacco promotions such as adverts.
Social change 3: Women’s Rights
- Women had very few legal and political rights in the beginning of the 20 th
century.
- Stereotyped as stay at home moms. Unmarries women were often employed
in service such as teaching, waitressing or cooking.
- Suffragette movement fought for the right to vote, women rebelled against
marriage, seeking education and equality.
- Society slowly changed its view about women. 1928 women were given the
right to vote.
