Ireland Referendum for Repealing the Eighth Amendment

[Paddy McGee]

Ireland has finally brought a referendum forward to repeal the Eighth Amendment to our Constitution- The equal right of the Unborn baby and Mother to life.

What do you think about this topic?

Related: The growing interest and engagement of the population. This referendum is set to have the highest turnout of all time of an Irish vote- even higher than our Same-Sex marriage referendum three years ago.

Let's discuss!

 

[Paddy McGee]

So, in general, this campaign has highlighted something major to me- the growing awareness and political engagement Ireland, and the world, has. It's interesting to see- it's almost like Brexit and Trump has brought alot of this to the forefront.

Students in Irish Universities weren't always as politically charged as they are now, and it's fascinating to see how much the country has changed.

As for the referendum in general: I don't think I've seen so many displays of bad-faith and hatred between sides. This is an emotionally exhausting debate.

 

[Linnaete]

Abortion is a horrendous procedure to have to go through. Ideally no right-thinking woman would ever want to be in a position where they have to contemplate having such a traumatic procedure be undertaken. I'm actually horrified by the prospect of ending a foetus's development and chances of having a life, particularly if it's relatively late into the pregnancy. But I'm not letting that drive me to ever fight for a status quo where other women would never be able to make that difficult choice.

I would hope that the millions of Irish women in favour of repealing this Amendment are campaigning to do so not because they seek some kind of debauchery-ridden life where consequences needn't matter anymore and they can gleefully cast aside any unwanted "mistakes" from flings (which is an actual bad-faith argument I've seen from the No side), but because it can save women who would otherwise die from doomed births, save them from having to fly abroad and then come back with their mouths figuratively sewn shut so as to not incur societal wrath and permanent stigmas, save them from symphysiotomies, and finally to make the ultimate legal and social statement that a woman's body and right to choose are not for the Church and the state to unilaterally determine.

Whatever happens, things won't be the same in Ireland, because the debate is being had. There is a national debate that stretches even outside of Ireland. Questions are being asked as to the legitimacy of old, established doctrines that pertain to how Ireland has long treated women and how men in positions of power have for so long tinkered to police women's autonomy over their bodies and sexuality.

 

[ZaXo Ken'Ichi]

I believe I more or less agree with Linnaete here. Morally, I'm pro-life, because I believe as soon as it's capable of growing into a human, it's a human. But politically, I'm pro-choice, because it's not for me to decide what others can do with their bodies and lives. People have gotten abortions forever, legal or not. So the best we can do is make it legal, so that it can hopefully be done responsibly and safely.

That being said, I have little opinion on Ireland's take on this specifically, because I'm also a firm believer that different cultures and countries should have decent leeway regarding how they run themselves. Sometimes, certain laws will work better or worse with certain cultures, and as an American, I'm tired of being tied to the stereotype that says I'm always butting in other's business. So I can say I hope they make the right choice for their infrastructure, and for their female citizens, whatever that choice may be. But that's about it.

 

[Galadín]

There's not much I've said on this matter since it is a very emotive and difficult topic of conversation. Personally I thought the entire campaign was horrendously ugly and handled with as much care as a bull in a china shop. There was a whole lot of talking, not enough listening and in general, both opposing campaigns were shockingly insensitive, sometimes to the point of being patronisingly obtuse and wilfully exploitive.

Being in an art college during the run up to this referendum gave an intimate view of the kind of conversations and discussions being had for what was dubbed as 'a young persons' referendum'. There wasn't much in terms of debate since many were of the same mind (which is fair enough) but of somewhat concern was just how derisive and dismissive they were of any other consideration or perspective that didn't mesh with their own. For something that was all about choice and freedom, there was a woeful shortage of respect and tolerant consideration. When one stands for a political ideal or concept, it's probably a nice gesture to exercise it while fighting for that cause; it makes it far more credible and inspiring.

Like most people I reckon, I was a fence sitter perched along the median line for most of the campaign. All the shenanigans and seemingly endless social media white noise did little to help, give direction, or indeed much in the line of comfort that anyone had an actual clue as to what they were even saying or fighting for. It was messy. It was loud. It got nasty. It became confusing and inevitably tiring. Personally I thought there was little to be proud of with regards to how this referendum was handled, it was disappointing to see so much upset and veritable squabbling going on in regards to a topic that is very personal and private in nature, which I think should have been respected as a diverse and individually intuitive decision in acknowledgement of differences in experience, circumstance and moral viewpoints.

I'm glad it's over.