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Rachael Wright

Abstract

This essay attempts to look at the unfortunate circumstances that surround women in Ireland in regards to abortion. Rather than looking at the pro- and anti-life arguments which are commonly discussed when approaching abortion issues, I have chosen to concentrate on the legal and ethical matters in Ireland that seem to have control over Irish women’s bodies and consequently their personhood. Through the investigation of the changing Irish laws brought about by the Grogan and X cases, it is possible to understand how religious and patriarchal sentiment has continued to suppress women’s personal choice in regards to abortion. By looking at the support for Roman Catholic morals in Ireland, I suggest that Irish women remain in a weak position with regards to equal life choices due to the fear of public shame that is associated with abortion and aim to show how as a result their voices have been silenced.

Author Biography

Rachael Wright graduated in 2004 with a 2:1 in Sociology with Women Studies and was accepted on a graduate scheme with Arcadia Group that started in September. She is now half way through the scheme and living in London, working as a manager in Topshop in High Street Kensington – emancipating women through encouraging body confidence!

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