What else could I do? : single mothers and infanticide, Ireland 1900-1950 / Clíona Rattigan.

By:

Rattigan, Clíona

Material type: Text

TextSeries: New directions in Irish historyPublication details: Dublin ; Portland, OR : Irish Academic Press, 2012.Description: xiv, 274 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. ; 24 cmISBN:

9780716531401 (Paper)
0716531402 (paper)

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

364.374 RAT

Summary: This book explores the history of single mothers and infanticide in Ireland over a 50 year period. Based primarily on underused archival material from the Central Criminal Court in the National Archives of Ireland, \'What Else Could I Do?\' provides a detailed analysis of the diverse experiences of unmarried mothers who faced criminal charges because they were suspected of having committed infanticide. Although statistics relating to female perpetrators of serious forms of crime are examined, the history of single women who killed their illegitimate infants cannot be understood through official numbers alone. The book undertakes a detailed case-by-case analysis of the records of over 300 infanticide cases tried in Ireland - both North and South - during the first half of the 20th century. This timely study will make an important contribution to historical scholarship and adds considerably to existing knowledge of female criminal behavior in Ireland. It is also a major contribution to the historical understanding of gender relations, class, sexuality, and family life--Publisher.

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Standard Loan	Moylish Library Main Collection	364.374 RAT (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		39002100531145

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This powerful book - now available in paperback - explores the history of single mothers and infanticide in Ireland over a 50 year period. Based primarily on underused archival material from the Central Criminal Court in the National Archives of Ireland, 'What Else Could I Do?' provides a detailed analysis of the diverse experiences of unmarried mothers who faced criminal charges because they were suspected of having committed infanticide. Although statistics relating to female perpetrators of serious forms of crime are examined, the history of single women who killed their illegitimate infants cannot be understood through official numbers alone. The book undertakes a detailed ~case-by-case analysis of the records of over 300 infanticide cases tried in Ireland - both North and South - during the first half of the 20th century. This timely study makes an important contribution to historical scholarship and adds considerably to existing knowledge of female criminal behavior in Ireland. It is also a major contribution to the historical understanding of gender relations, class, sexuality, and family life.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [257]-[268]) and index.

This book explores the history of single mothers and infanticide in Ireland over a 50 year period. Based primarily on underused archival material from the Central Criminal Court in the National Archives of Ireland, \'What Else Could I Do?\' provides a detailed analysis of the diverse experiences of unmarried mothers who faced criminal charges because they were suspected of having committed infanticide. Although statistics relating to female perpetrators of serious forms of crime are examined, the history of single women who killed their illegitimate infants cannot be understood through official numbers alone. The book undertakes a detailed case-by-case analysis of the records of over 300 infanticide cases tried in Ireland - both North and South - during the first half of the 20th century. This timely study will make an important contribution to historical scholarship and adds considerably to existing knowledge of female criminal behavior in Ireland. It is also a major contribution to the historical understanding of gender relations, class, sexuality, and family life--Publisher.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

List of Tables (p. vii)
List of Plates (p. ix)
Acknowledgements (p. xii)
Introduction (p. 1)
1 'Girl Murderers': Unmarried Mothers and Infanticide (p. 35)
2 'Done to death by father or relatives': Irish Families and Infanticide Cases (p. 75)
3 'Shocking Revelations': Single Women and Sex (p. 127)
4 'I thought from her appearance that she was in the family way': Detecting Infanticide Cases in Ireland, 1900-50 (p. 171)
5 'All girls in this country ... are amenable to the law, and must suffer for this crime': Sentencing Patterns in Irish Infanticide Cases (p. 191)
Conclusion (p. 229)
Appendix 1 (p. 241)
Appendix 2 (p. 247)
Appendix 3 (p. 255)
Bibliography (p. 257)
Index (p. 269)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Dr Clona Rattigan was a Teaching Fellow in Modern Irish History at the University of Warwick, and is currently a teacher of History and English at L'Ermitage International School of France.
Jacket photograph reproduced courtesy of the National Archives of Ireland. Hannah A. was convicted of the murder of her illegitimate infant at the Limerick Summer Assizes in July 1910. The death sentence passed on the 36 year-old, who had lost her job at Newcastle West workhouse once rumours that she was pregnant were confirmed, was commuted to penal servitude for life later in the month. Hannah's case generated a great deal of sympathy and concern in Limerick. The memorial sent to the Under-Secretary of Dublin Castle appealing for mercy was signed by the Mayor and High Sheriff of the city along with other prominent gentlemen.