What is the relationship between law and social change?

Question

What is the relationship between law and social change?

Answer 1

Law is not static; it must change as new social concepts and values arise within society.

One thing that keeps laws from changing more quickly is cultural lag.  Society (as well as the criminal justice system) is unable to keep up with the rapid pace of technological and social change; so naturally social problems and conflicts arise from this lag. (Think identity theft, internet crime, etc.)

Answer 2

the laws are modified to reflect social change. for example same s*x marriages are now lawful, and rape within a marriage.

however the law can also cause social change. for example it is now seen as wrong to use a mobile phone whist driving whereas this was not the case 5 years ago.