Wednesday, January 30, 2008

1979: Ireland ends ban on contraception

Until 1979, in Catholic-dominated Ireland, the law prohibited importation and sale of contraceptives, despite the fact that most adults supported the view that birth control was a basic human right. The ban on contraception was a prime reason for the large size of Irish families, that was burdensome in poor economic times, and led to emigration to the US.

Before the availability of “the pill” and condom, the most frequent form of contraception in Ireland was coitus interruptus. Many Irish women were shocked to find that they were pregnant even though “he pulled out in time.” Also, men who could not get condoms were known to fashion their own from Saran Wrap. (info from International Encyclopedia)

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