Some scholars contend that laws are used to create social change in society, while others
contend that the law only reflects social change that already has occurred. What are the
sociological arguments for this question?
What will be an ideal response?
Although there are times when the law precedes social change (such as in the formulation
and implementation of social policy), Mason, et.al. point out that most change in the laws is
to deal with problems created as a result of social change. The evolution of equalitarianism
led to the formulation of no-fault divorce, the emergence of sexual permissiveness and the
consequent unwed mothers led to respecification of custody and visitation rights, and the
emergence of nontraditional partnerships (same sex marriages, and cohabitation) is leading
to a respecification of marriage and separation law. The growth of medical treatment for
infertility is leading to the reformulation of personal privacy of egg and sperm donors.
Several states are now addressing questions of the rights of gay and lesbian parents in
custody and inheritance privileges. Single parenting is creating a whole new set of rights
for child health care and entitlements.
On the other hand, the increase in interracial and inter-country adoption is leading to
change in social views about racism and prejudice. Sometimes the law leads social change.
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Which of the following have been charges made against the World Trade Organization?
a. it places profits ahead of environmental concerns and human well being b. it is undemocratic in its operations and procedures c. it increases world inequality d. all of these
Marx maintained that increased control over nature is accompanied by alienation
a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Increasingly, a growing number of voters:
a. align themselves with the Democrats. b. align themselves with the Republicans. c. align themselves with neither party. d. align themselves with neither party and declare an intention to vote on the basis of issues rather than on party lines.
____________ depicts consensual activities desired by and pleasurable to all parties. One study found men who viewed mainstream pornography were more likely to say they would commit rape than men who did not.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).