Abstract
This is a personal account of a sociological career over four decades, influenced by developments in Irish society and sociology. I focus on the growth of a feminist sociology, the stigmatisation of unmarried mothers, concealed stories and the changing treatment of ‘voice’ in sociological research.
Highlights
I came to sociology with the upheaval of Irish society in the 1970s, buoyed along by the Women’s Movement, Community Development, Civil Rights and anti-poverty work
The orientation towards community, explicit valuing of local expertise and knowledge prompted my commitment to sociology, research and teaching, to story and voice
I was reminded of the limitations of survey research in which I was trained, by a request from a trade union to analyse data collected from women academics on their experiences of maternity leave
Summary
I came to sociology with the upheaval of Irish society in the 1970s, buoyed along by the Women’s Movement, Community Development, Civil Rights and anti-poverty work. The 1992 ‘X’ case mobilised mass pro-life and pro-choice demonstrations, precipitating another referendum on abortion.9 The social condemnation, stigmatising treatment and seclusion of unmarried pregnant women from family and community have a longer history.
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