Sir, – After JD Vance, the associate of Donald Trump, took a swipe at “childless cat women” blaming them for societal collapse, Pilita Clark highlights the increasing trend of individuals in the United States opting to remain childless in her piece “Beware the march of the childless voter” (Opinion, August 5th).
Brianna Parkins has equally expressed her thoughts, stating she’s “encountered numerous women who regret getting tied in matrimony while none who regret staying single” (Opinion, August 2nd).
It’s heartening to witness this narrative challenging calumnious viewpoints. Yet, Ireland still has a considerable journey to dispel analogous, albeit perhaps subtler attitudes.
Our Constitution maintains a pro-family bias, contradicting the Equal Status Act that prohibits discrimination due to family standing. Yet, the Constitution overpowers any legislation.
This discrepancy infiltrates the fabric of common life. For instance, a single person applying for a mortgage must acknowledge that their dwelling isn’t a familial one and hence subject to faster repossession.
When our politicians discuss or news reports articulate households, they’re predominantly referred to as families, ignoring the existence of other types of households.
Upon retirement, a sole individual tends to face more financial hardships compared to their non-single counterparts. Yet, there’s been no initiative specifically targeting this group amid the escalating cost of living and the housing crisis. Often, these strategies primarily benefit dual-income families, and there’s little indication of divergence from this approach in the forthcoming budget.
Surviving on a single income amidst rising costs barely matches the advantages of dual income. Despite similar income brackets, single personnel pay higher taxes but receive fewer advantages.
Traditional “female occupations” like teaching and nursing, coupled with the enduring gender wage disparity, further aggravate this situation, resulting in smaller retirement savings.
Over the past several years, the government has persistently analysed the option to offer parents extended safeguarded leave, which can hardly be considered negative, particularly with the prevailing shortage of childcare. Yet, regrettably, those without offspring receive neither recognition for the vicissitudes of life nor any safeguarded leave to handle life’s predicaments, familial sickness, or miscellaneous complications that arise. The Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, aspires for Ireland to rank as the best nation for child development. However, in its noble intent, the approach neglects individuals who are neither parents nor children. Mr Vance’s remarks may be shocking, but it should also instigate us to introspect and revise our seemingly outdated attitudes since such voters influence the polls too. – Yours faithfully, Niamh Byrne of Fairview, Dublin 3.