3.2 Advantages to Living in Inishowen

Table 4 below shows the ranking obtained for advantages to living in Inishowen, as obtained from Question 8.  Respondents ranked the alternatives offered in the degree of importance to them on a scale from 0 to 5; the total score was obtained by summing all of the individual ratings given.  The top three advantages to living in Inishowen - namely the presence of family and friends, that it is a good place to rear a family and that a good quality of life is available  - confirms that the traditional values of the area are very much cherished. This is the case for the vast majority of respondents, although it was also clear that it was not so for everyone and depended on many different circumstances.

3.3 Disputed Advantages to Living in Inishowen

In question number 8 of the survey, a list of advantages (previously suggested by focus groups of local women) to living in Inishowen was offered to respondents and they were asked to rate them in importance to their own life.  While the data was being analysed, it became clear that some of the 'advantages' on the list were in dispute. The following table (Table 5) contains a list of these six disputed advantages and the number of times these items were specifically questioned by individual respondents.  Quite a number of spontaneous comments were generated by these disputed advantages and they are recorded in sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9.  It was decided to refer these items for local feedback and conclusions at a presentation of preliminary findings; this took place on International Rural Women's Day on the 15^th October 2002 (see Section12.3).

3.4  Women have their say: On the disputed advantage of a good system of education in Inishowen

Married woman, 41-50 age group:
" Not sure if it's a good system. There are no third level facilities"

Married woman, 31-40 age group, with children:
" Not impressed"

Married, 41-50 age group:
"In comparison to Derry, the schools and education are of low standard [to] what I am used to in my life"

Single woman, under 30:
"Not at all [an advantage]"

3.5 Women have their say: On the disputed advantage of less crime and violence in Inishowen

Married living with husband, 51-60 age group:
"Crime is increasing"

Single, under 30:
"Don't agree"