ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Constitutive criminology

Constitutive criminology is a big word that is used to explain how people think about and understand things relating to crime. Imagine that you are playing with building blocks and you can only build certain things because that is what the blocks were made for. In the same way, our thoughts about crime are shaped by the rules that have been made up by society. These rules help us understand what is considered right and wrong behavior.

Constitutive criminology helps us look at crime in a different way, by questioning why certain things are considered crimes and why some people are labeled as criminals. It helps us see that these labels and definitions are not set in stone and can change over time.

For example, in the past, it was considered a crime to be gay, but now we understand that it is not wrong to have different feelings and sensations of attraction. Society’s definition of what being gay means has changed.

Overall, constitutive criminology helps us think about how society’s expectations shape our ideas about crime and justice in a more flexible and adaptable way.