‘I think it’s about feeling like you’re an equal part of society’
A LOCAL carer is advocating for a yes vote in next month’s referendums so people can “hear the voices of carers” and make them “a more equal part of society”.
Tallaght woman Sinead Tighe is a carer for her teenage son Daniel, who has a rare genetic condition called Sotos Syndrome that affects sensory processing and growth, and he also uses a wheelchair.
She is campaigning, along with Family Carers Ireland, for a yes vote in the upcoming family and care referendums which will take place on March 8.
The proposal concerning the reference to family in the constitution seeks to change “the State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”
The proposed change which will be voted on will see the removal of “on which the family is founded” from the aforementioned text.
It is also proposed that an article of the constitution will be changed to: “the State recognises the Family, whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships, as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.”
The care referendum proposes changes to the following: “The State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.”
It is also proposed that the following text will be changed: “The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.”
The referendum proposes the removal of women being noted as primary carers in the home, and for broader recognition of carers regardless of gender.
The new proposed text is: “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.”
Ms Tighe supports the new wording and as such is advocating for a yes vote, as she believes it’s a fairer way of recognising the work of carers but also for women who have roles outside the home.
“My support of the yes votes comes mainly as I’m a carer, but as a woman as well,” she told The Echo.
“The way I look at it, it’s time to not just see a woman as being in the home and I believe that should change.
“I think, nowadays, care comes from all aspects, be it grandparents, siblings or husbands.”
In respect of the carer portion of the referendum, Ms Tighe said a successful yes vote means carers can “be recognised within society for our caring role.
“It means more people can hear the voices of carers, and it would make carers a more equal part of society – we won’t feel ‘less than’ anymore.
“When I fill in forms, there’s no space for my role. I’m not a homemaker, I’m a carer, and the job I do for Daniel is vital and that’s aside from picking up the iron and household work, that’s secondary.
“I think it’s about feeling like you’re an equal part of society, that you’re valued, and you’re being heard.”
