Search

The referendums on abortion (1983) and divorce (1986) along with the 1979 and 1985 legislation governing family planning, provide important indicators of cultural values in contemporary Ireland. This article examines the two referendum campaigns which brought to a head the conflict between traditionalists and proponents of liberalisation, and explores similarities and differences between them. The results of these referendums have clear implications for views widely held a decade ago that Ireland was belatedly falling into line with cultural patterns prevalent amongst other Western societies. more...