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The research for this book was prompted by a combination of events, in particular the election of Mary Robinson to the Presidency and the X Case which rocked Irish society. The book is an exploration of the dynamics between the courts, the legislators and the Irish citizens in relation to certain socio-sexual questions: divorce, contraception, abortion, and homosexuality. Spanning 73 years since the creation of the Irish State, The Politics of Sexual Morality in Ireland questions the nature of the moral order regulating Irish society and the concept of democracy underlying it. It examines the fragile balance struck between tradition and modernity.
List of contents
Introduction Divorce: From an Indissoluble Bond... Divorce: ...To the Right to a Second Chance Contraception: From the Protection of Public Morality... Contraception: ...To a Responsible Sexuality for All Abortion: From the Right to Life... Abortion: ... To the Right to Live Homosexuality: From a Crime Against Nature... Homosexuality: ...To a Right to (Homo)Sexual Privacy Conclusion Bibliography Index
About the author
CHRYSTEL HUG spent six years in Ireland, where she taught French at University College Cork. Sensing in 1992 that momentous changes were happening in Irish society, she focused her research on the regulation of sexual morality as per the Catholic Church and the State. After completing her Doctorate in Irish Studies, she was posted to the French Embassy in the UK as Education Attaché for Scotland and Northern Ireland. She has published in French journals of Irish studies and regularly takes part in international conferences on Irish affairs.
Summary
The research for this book was prompted by a combination of events, in particular the election of Mary Robinson to the Presidency and the X Case which rocked Irish society.
Report
'...a well-written and readable account of the change in attitude and the subsequent legislative changes with regard to sexual morality in Ireland...Crystal Hug has done us all a service in documenting this period and in doing so with a critical and sympathetique perspective. She writes fluently and engagingly, her research is detailed and skilfully utilised. This book should be a required text for every university course on Irish politics, history and sociology. Bien fait.' - Rona FitzGerald, Irish Political Studies
'...writes fluently and engagingly, her research is detailed and skilfully utilised. This book should be a required text for every university course on Irish politics, history and sociology.' - Rona FitzGerald, University of Strathclyde
'...excellently researched.' - T.P.O'Mahony, The Examiner
'Ms Hug has charted a clear path through the labyrinth of referenda, opinion polls, ecclesiastical pronouncements and legislation.' - The Irish Emigrant
