Irish referendum - abortion - should men vote?

[Schtinkay]

Fabulous news. Finally a referendum in Ireland to decriminalise abortion. About bloody time.

But should men be allowed to vote on an issue that is about controlling rights, freedoms and bodies of women?

I don't think so. Very interested in thoughts.

Of course men should be allowed to vote. Abortion affects men too.

Of course men should be allowed to vote. Abortion affects men too.

I don't think so either.

I'm not sure men should be able to vote on what a woman can do with her body, it doesn't sit right with me.

Yes they should be able to.

It doesn't sit right with me, the idea that you can vote on something that will never affect you - a man will never be at risk of being forced to continue a pregnancy, a man will never have his life put at risk by a baby he's carrying inside his body.

I might hold an opinion on vasectomies, I certainly hold an opinion on circumcision, but I wouldn't feel that it was my place to judge a man who was getting one (rather than an adult doing it to a child).

In fact, that's solidified a thought that was hanging around. Adults get to have an opinion on children's health because we are their guardians, and we want to do the best for them. We don't get to have a vote in other adult's health though, because they are adults, in charge of their own bodies. Men being able to vote on what women do with their bodies is infantilising, placing them in a guardianship role that they do not have.

I agree totally with what you're saying @SpaghettiAndMeatballs.

It would be like English people in England voting on Scottish independence.

My gut says no however My head probably says yes
don't think in reality it could work and Heterosexuals vote in same sex marriage referendums?
Men are also HCPs that may be involved or partners/parents to woman who can't access one that want one?

Yeah i agree with some others

I don't think men should be able to vote on abortion

I think it would cause a massive fuss though

Many English people wanted to vote --yes in the scottish referendum this is hardly the same 😕 of course irish men should be allowed to vote in a referendum this affects their wives girlfriends sisters and daughters

It's the idea that men will never have to deal with that decision and the consequences. For me, they shouldn't have a vote.

And irish men are also Drs and nurses just because they are men doesn't mean they dont understand or care not all irish women agree with termination do we root those women out and not allow them a vote either.

Men are also HCPs that may be involved or partners/parents to woman who can't access one that want one?

Then, they can lobby under that flag - don't think that gives them the right to control it. As AssassinatedBeauty says, I have family in Scotland who would be affected by independence, doesn't mean I get a vote on that.

When it comes to same sex marriage, there's not actually a requirement to be homosexual is there? I could marry a woman if I wanted? So I kinda see why everyone could vote - plus the idea of having to register that you're homosexual in order to be able to vote gives me the willies - I feel like there's still plenty of homophobia around, and giving the government a list of gay people seems like a bad idea. Whereas they already know who's a woman.

Of course they should an unborn baby has two parents.

not all irish women agree with termination do we root those women out and not allow them a vote either.

Of course not - it affects them directly, of course they should vote. This isn't about who would vote the way I think they should, but targetting the population that are currently restricted by the law.

Only one of those parents is taking a risk with their body though. The other parent doesn't have the right to compel their partner to do things with their body that they don't want to do.

But you'd have to have a referendum to amend the constitution to allow only women to vote in some referendums first. That would never get through the courts and I doubt it would pass.

I get what you mean theoretically but it's not practical.

I don't think anyone should have a vote in anyone else's body, but that wouldn't work either until it's passed. Straight people got to choose for gay people to marry. It's a bit shit, but it shouldn't be a vote at all really.

Anyway cant people self identify in Ireland anyway?

I don't think they should. But I am resigned to the fact that in a democracy they have to.

Straight people got to vote for anyone to have a same sex marriage, there isn't the requirement to be proven/registered gay or bisexual first.

I agree that it isn't practical or likely at all to be possible. I would like it to be the case though.

Bertrand, why is it necessary in a democracy that men would have to be included? If you look at referendums about devolution only those people affected got to vote. Why is that different?

Aren't most referendums like that though? Brexit allowed people to vote to take away other people's rights. I'm not sure they can ever be truly fair.

Most votes only affect a minority of people assassinated.

Brexit on the other hand only let the people not affected vite

Who else should have been able to vote on Brexit? Children, or do you mean the rest of Europe?

What votes only affect a minority?

Why are devolution referendums apparently different and restricted to those in the regions that may devolve?

Wheresmytaco that doesn't make sense. NI voted in Brexit and I'd argue will be more affected than any other part of the UK.

Perhaps men can vote but not if they are priests as they would never be in the position of possible father? Would OP also exclude post-menopausal women?

No men shouldn't be allowed to vote. Women's rights over their bodies shouldn't be put to referendum like this anyway but since they are at least limit the vote to them.