Dr Fergus Ryan of the Department of Law at Maynooth University recently addressed a conference on the topic of Article 41.2 of the Constitution, and proposals for its reform. The conference entitled “Reflecting on the 1937 Constitution: Women, Family and the Home in Ireland” was organised by Ms Deirdre Foley of the School of History and Geography at DCU (St. Patrick’s campus). The conference included inter-disciplinary perspectives from historians, lawyers and social scientists. Fergus’ paper argues that, despite its rhetorical flourish, Art.41.2 has been of limited practical value to women working in the home. Its gendered focus, he argues, entrenches an expectation that unfairly places the primary burden of home and care work on women, and displaces the work done by men (such as lone fathers and widowers). Fergus explores the options for reform of Art.41.2 including its outright deletion and amendment to a gender-neutral wording.
