article

Gender relationships, matching, and marriage customs in an Irish rural community

Folk life: journal of ethnological studies48 (1) • Published In 2010 • Pages: 13-34

By: Humphreys, Margaret (Marguerita T.).

Abstract
This study of marriage and family life in an Irish village is based on recorded interviews. The author examines gender roles, relationships and socialization within the home. Sex was a taboo subject. Older interviewees commented that there was no sex instruction in the home; in fact, sex as a topic of discussion was discouraged by parents and the bodily changes of daughters were entirely ignored by their mothers. Marriage was an important goal for females and matchmaking was the traditional mode. The author notes changes in courtship practices and weakening parental control over young adults and marriage.
Subjects
Interviewing in research
Gender status
Basis of marriage
Arranging a marriage
Family relationships
Social control
Sexual stimulation
culture
Rural Irish
HRAF PubDate
2017
Region
Europe
Sub Region
British Isles
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Types
Folklorist
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard; 2014
Field Date
1998-1999
Coverage Date
1930-1999
Coverage Place
"Kilbrack," County Cork, Munster, Ireland
Notes
Margaret Humphreys
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
65068947
LCSH
Ireland--Rural conditions