Changing+Social+Values

Social Values are the standards or principles that guide people in thinking about different aspects of society and underpinned beliefs of right and wrong. Social values are not necessarily the same as an individual's values but they both influence and are influenced by individuals' judgement. Individual and social ethics are shaped by various cultural factors, often including religion.
 * Changing Social Values**

Public Morality is when the majority of people within a society hold similar view on an issue. The law must reflect these social values of the majority if it is to stay relevant and be assured of a high rate of compliance. Due to Australia's multicultural society, it can be hard to gauge the mood of the community if there is a consensus on an issue.

Because public morality continues to change and evolve, lawmakers encounter a lot of difficulties. These changing social values are impetus for law reform though. There are many examples of legislation that has been introduced, repealed or amended after courts have handed down decisions. Legislators and others use judicial decisions to help recognise that the existing law is no longer reflective of the community's social values. As indicated above, the law is usually behind these changing social ethics but this is not always a negetive feature as deliberate changes to law takes time.