UNIT 1 Lesson 1 WHAT IS A LAW??

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS Ontario Ministry of Education Regulations 262/82, 23-1 (condensed) A pupil shall… Be diligent in mastering studies; Exercise self-discipline; Attend classes punctually and regularly; Accept such discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent; Be courteous to fellow pupils and obedient to teachers; Be clean in person and habits; Take tests and examinations; Show respect for school property;

Protection of Persons in Authority Correction of a child by force: Section 43: Every school teacher, parent, or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances. (1953-54)

Has that law changed in Ontario? The law HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED; This law has maintained it’s importance in the Criminal Code of Canada and as part of the Education Act; What are some of the reasons why this has been kept - even if it is not in practice?

Possible reasons: Provide a protection for the teacher; Provide a consequence for the student; Protection of other students, and individual (they could try to hurt themselves); Protection of school property; Maintain an orderly classroom environment; Provide element of safety in school; Provide legal recourse if greater issues ensue;

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR LAW? Situations of more than one person require rules to maintain order (pick-up hockey or basketball game); Regulates or controls the behaviours of people involved; Apply to ALL people ALL of the time (universal); “Laws are a set of rules that attempt to organize society in such a way as to provide peace and good order in that society. (Applying the Law)

Why not anarchy? ANARCHY The belief that the government should have as little control over individual actions as possible; Any actions are not punishable by governmental law What main factor could affect the functioning of such a society? (remember it involves humans!) People do not always act as they should; People will not always act according to what is expected of them;

Case: “The Do-as-you-feel Festival” Watch the clip of the show and be ready to discuss what examples are provided when anarchy is allowed on a small scale. Keep in mind the limits applied to individual freedom.

“Be like the boy!” In this episode, what happened when everyone embraced Bart’s attitude? Provide an explanation for the action and the consequence for the following characters: What are the general results of the lack of order? Willie Moe Rev. Lovejoy Kent Brockman Mrs. Krabapple Mayor Quimby

Chaos The actions of the individuals inevitably tie to the order of the group; A lack of rules and order led people to a lack of responsibility and chaos ensued; When individuals do not attend to their own actions, there are greater consequences to a perceived small action; Laws that are enforced by a ‘impartial’ group ensure individuals adhere to rules required for the smooth functioning of society;

Growth of Canadian Society As Canada’s population grows there is a concentration on increasing the number of laws that limit individual freedoms; Canadians have to abide by more laws than our ancestors, yet these laws reflect greater changes in society; The modern Canadian is actually ‘more free’ than previously in history – due to “division of labour;” As there are more people to complete the work that is required to ‘run society,’ individuals have more time to spend as they choose;

Maintaining Freedoms By preventing unnecessary laws/rules and ensure that existing laws reflect the attitudes of the majority; What are some of the laws that have been ‘recently’ (in the last 100 years) changed to reflect changes in society?

Changed Laws? Voting for women Women in the workforce Child labour laws Child abuse laws Divorce laws Marriage laws Minority rights Education laws (Safe Schools Act, Learning to 18)

Homework Practice Write down the following questions and provide a brief explanation for each. (Right now!) In what respect are laws different from ordinary rules? What is an example of a law that you feel would be ‘unjust?’ What would you change in that law to make it ‘just?’ (Think of one from being in school) List what qualities or characteristic all laws should have.