Ireland Used Pregnant Women As Slaves. Could It Happen Here?
A Catholic country has a dirty little secret it keeps trying to bury — literally.
There are many countries that are known for women’s rights abuses, including Iran and Pakistan. But, not all of the countries with a bad rap sheet against women are the ones we think of.
Contrary to Eurocentric beliefs, there are quite a few European countries that have women’s rights issues. For example, Ireland is not a country most people would peg as bad to women, but the country has a serious dark side few consider.
Historically, Ireland is a staunchly Catholic country. The laws put in place are heavily influenced by the Catholic church, which happens to be vehemently pro-life. The Vatican has a lot of sway in Ireland, even today.
What most people don’t realize is that the Catholic church still had a stranglehold on women’s reproductive rights well into the 1990s. Today, I’m going to show you the truly dark side of the pro-life movement.
Ireland’s past could very easily become America’s future.
We need to talk about the Magdalene Laundries.
Ireland was absolutely gripped by the Catholic church, and that includes their concepts of sexual morality. Catholic priestdoms often did “charity” work for women who found themselves pregnant out of wedlock.
Enter Magdalene Laundries, also known as “homes for fallen women.” The first home of this kind was opened in 1765, and for over 200 years, these “homes” were meant to give a place in society for women who were sex workers, women who were pregnant out of wedlock, and more.
In other words, it was a way to punish women for being sexualized.