The project I am undertaking as a PhD student aims to consider a variety of aspects of women’s social lives in Northern Ireland between 1921-1968. It will focus on the changing appearance of women in terms of fashion and appearance (hair, make-up and beauty products), health and welfare (smoking habits, family planning and sanitary wear, in particular tampons) and the social experiences of women (dances, films and music). I am considering the role of the churches, both Protestant and Catholic, in influencing these aspects of women’s lives, for example, how they felt women should behave and whether this was reflected in reality. Similarly I am also considering the rural, urban divide and how important this was in women’s lives. The time frame of 1921-1968 will allow me to assess the impact of the establishment of Northern Ireland and also the impact of both World Wars. The date of 1968 marks the start of ‘The Troubles’ therefore this allows for the assessment of women’s lives in a time of relative peace in regards to the political situation.
To do this I am planning on carrying out around fifty oral history interviews. I plan to interview women and ask them about their social experiences, for example, what films did they watch, do they remember any particular fashion style and did they work and rear children? I also intend on trawling through years and years worth of newspapers, for example the Belfast Telegraph. The Public Records Office in Northern Ireland should also provide a mountain of information during this time period. Films, and women's magazines will also be taken into consideration when researching this project.
I hope that this research will fill a gap in the historiography for women in Northern Ireland.
