---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is ordinarily said that criminal law…"
description: "\"It is ordinarily said that criminal law is designed to protect property and to protect persons, and if society's only interest in controlling sex behav..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/alfred-kinsey-29134_adequate_it-is-ordinarily-said-that-criminal-law_2208130.jpg"
---

#  It is ordinarily said that criminal law is designed to…

![“It is ordinarily said that criminal law is designed to protect property and to protect persons, and if society's only interest in controlling sex behavior were to protect persons, then the criminal codes concerned with assault and battery should provide adequate protection. The fact that there is…” quote by Alfred Kinsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/alfred-kinsey-29134_adequate_it-is-ordinarily-said-that-criminal-law_2208130.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/alfred-kinsey-29134_adequate_it-is-ordinarily-said-that-criminal-law_2208130.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/alfred-kinsey-29134_adequate_it-is-ordinarily-said-that-criminal-law_2208130.jpg)

> “It is ordinarily said that criminal law is designed to protect property and to protect persons, and if society's only interest in controlling sex behavior were to protect persons, then the criminal codes concerned with assault and battery should provide adequate protection. The fact that there is a body of sex laws which is apart from the laws protecting persons is evidence of their distinct function, namely that of protecting custom.”

[Alfred Kinsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-kinsey/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Criminal law protects persons and property, but separate sex laws aim to preserve societal customs rather than individual safety.

**In simple terms:** Sex laws often enforce cultural norms, not just safety.

Key Takeaway

Question the purpose of sex-related statutes.

Themes

law society customs

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

legal sociological

When to use this quote

- legislative reform
- public education
- human rights advocacy
- community dialogue

Key Concepts

legal theory social norms public policy sexuality

Questions to Reflect On

- Should laws prioritize individual rights over tradition?
- How do cultural norms evolve into legal codes?

A Different Perspective

Balancing custom protection with personal freedoms can be contentious.

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