An aerial view of St Stephen's Green in the centre of Dublin, during Indian summer.
By John Duggan, First Things, Feb.
John Duggan is a freelance writer based in England.
Ireland is holding a referendum on March 8—International Women’s Day—which, if the governing parties have their way, will mean the word “mother” is removed from Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution.
Article 41.2.2 currently says that the State shall “endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.” This line has been in the Constitution since its creation in 1937, but would be deleted in its entirety. Also up for deletion is the preceding article, which says, “the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.” New wording has been proposed to replace it: “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.” …
