Caitriona Redmond: 'I worry the State will 'strive' to absolve themselves of responsibilities'

The definition of a family of two parents; male and female, with their children is outdated and doesn’t reflect the society we live in today. It’s a step in the right direction and should be welcomed.

Yes, I realise that my family technically does come under that out-dated term. Still, it doesn’t stop me from appreciating and supporting others.

I’m voting “No” to the Care Amendment.

If the State intends to ‘strive to support’ caring roles then that’s a further step-down from the patchy support we already receive. I worry that the State will use this term to absolve themselves of their responsibilities in the future by saying ‘we strove’; in other words ‘well we tried’ or ‘that is all we have to do under the Constitution’.

From my experiences of dealing with government bodies as we continue to navigate the assessment of needs process, they are already failing people with disabilities. 

Loosening of the State’s responsibilities via the Constitution is not helpful to us or our children.

The other issue I have with this amendment is the suggestion that family members may be held responsible by the State for the unsupported care of people with disabilities. While my child may have a disability, they are also an individual with opinions, entitlements, and a right to choose for themselves. The value that they bring to society cannot be measured and I would challenge anybody to take away their autonomy, let alone the State.

Recently our family situation changed, I’m now a working mother and my husband is the stay-at-home parent and primary carer. I would rather see the Constitution changed from ‘mother’ to ‘primary carer’. While it’s unusual for an Irish family to have this inverse parenting arrangement and one that we are getting used to, the children are thriving with the new balance.

I believe that the future contains more fathers in the home and more women in the workplace, and in particular the boardroom. Change needs to come from the bottom up and the top down. This can only be implemented if the State recognises equity from the start and this will not be achieved by suggesting that members of our society, and particularly those with familial relationships, should be obliged to care for others.

I realise that for some this Constitution isn’t that inspiring and they might feel disaffected by what is proposed. What difference will it make? We all have an opportunity to be part of the democratic process and make our voices heard by getting out and voting. As a group we can make a change that will be felt in our country for many years to come. Please, if you can, vote on March 8. Be counted.

• Caitriona Redmond writes a home economy columns every Saturday in Weekend magazine. She manages social media accounts for Irish brands and went back to college this year to study International Business. She is chief financial officer for her family and is mum to two teens, one of whom has a disability and needs support.