February 20th marks the anniversary of Ireland approving the sale of contraceptions. It barely passes.
Wasn't until 1990 that condoms would be made readily available.
Ireland now has a SHAG day, according to the internet- couldnt find an article as to how it played out-where 40,000 condoms were given out. Shag day? Guess they worked at that one, but, obviously not very hard.
I remember the huge outcry by the Catholic church and others about how approving contraceptions would lead to a moral collapse. Sounds like it has worked out without bringing Ireland into an abyss of depravity.
On another Irish note, just over twenty years ago on Feb. 12 1992 a 14 year old girl was being denied an abortion after she had been raped by a friends father. The girl was called Miss X. After some incredibly bizarre moves by the government. English newspapers were bought out to prevent abortion ads from being seen. Prevent exactly what I am not sure, but we are talking politicians. I can safely assume the Irish public pretty much knew that you could get abortions in Europe without an ad. Some really over the top behavior from the government. What is it with power?? A little of it can drive a normally "sane" person to act like a complete buffoon. It would almost be funny if you didnt realize a 14 year old girl's life was in the hands of these buffoons.
And women were furious.
And most of the rest of the world were furious
Here is a link to a recent article on the case of Miss X. It really is worthwhile.
http://www.irishtimes.com/...
The "right " to birth control is not a right. The problem with rights is since they can be given they can be taken away. Nor is it a moral battle. Morals shift with the wind and change in the moment.
Birth control should be seen as a human condition that has taken place in all of human history. It is part of human health and well being. It has gotten us to where we are today.
It really is not just a woman's issue, but if people turn it into a sexist game to deny women power over their own lives and disguise it as religion I will fight it.
Yeah, as a woman I am fine with turning it into a woman's issue. But it is not a religious issue