Dublin, Ireland—Irish voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to revise the definition of families in the constitution and remove the mention of women’s “duties in the home.” Both the government and liberal parties argued that the current text contains old-fashioned and sexist language about women and their role in society.
Article 41.2 of the constitution says the Irish state,
“recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. The state shall, therefore, 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.”
The referendum on the matter was held on Friday, on International Women’s Day.
Voters were offered an option to expand the constitutional protection of families to include those founded on “durable relationships” other than marriage. They were also asked whether to remove the clause about the state’s duty to “ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labor to the neglect of their duties in the home.”
Polls predicted a smooth passage for a Yes-Yes vote, which was deliberately scheduled to be held on International Women’s Day.
According to official results released late on Saturday, 67.7% voted against redefining the family, while nearly 74% rejected the removal of the “duties in the home” clause.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar admitted that the authorities had failed to convince the majority of the public.
He previously argued that the ‘no’ vote would be “a step backwards” for women’s rights and criticized “the very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women” in the constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin voiced his frustration with the results as well, but stressed that the cabinet “fully respects” them.
Adopted in 1937, Ireland’s constitution reflects conservative views on social issues. In the last decade, however, the country legalized same-sex marriage and repealed a near-total abortion ban, due to the influence of Ireland’s major city, Dublin.
Observations
This is a huge win for conservative (or biblical) values regarding the definition of a family and the respective roles of husband and wife. Both come from the Bible (Genesis 1:27-28; Titus 2:3-5).
In 2018, Irish feminists, buoyed by victory in the abortion referendum had set their sights set on removing a section of the Irish Constitution which refers to women’s place in the home. It failed.
The city of Dublin is way more liberal than the rest of Ireland. In the last decade, through the influence of Dublin and liberal politicians, the country legalized same-sex marriage and repealed a near-total abortion ban. This vote outcome is good news. It breaks the stronghold that Dublin and liberals have held over the country of Ireland.
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“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:27-28).
