Rejecting Lip Service or Validating 1930s Family Values? - What The Irish No Vote to the Family and Care Referendums Tells Us About Directive Constitutional Values

Abstract

On 8th March 2024, the Irish people rejected two separate constitutional referendums on family and care in an overwhelming no vote. These amendments aimed to update a conservative and gendered ideal of family found in Article 41. The family and care referendums involved more abstract statements of directive constitutional values. The result of the referendums is a win for voter confusion, anger towards the government and the NoNo campaign. It is also a loss for political constitutionalism.

Keywords

• Constitutional referendum
• Disability RIghts
• Familie
• Ireland
• Irland
• Verfassungsreferendum