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Iris Murdoch, Coil contraceptive, Parenting girls

Iris Murdoch's life, writing and philosophy. Plus parenting girls, relationships after retirement and the coil contraceptive - just how much does it hurt? With Emma Barnett.

As Girlguiding UK releases new research on the mental well-being of women and girls from 7 to 21, do the concerns of parents match up with the issues that worry their daughters? We hear the views of 12 and 13 year-olds, and Emma is joined by James Davies the managing director of Childwise Research and parenting educator Susie Hayman.

Woman's Hour's drama this week adapts Iris Murdoch's novel, A Severed Head. We learn more about her life, her writing and her philosophical ideas with Anne Rowe, associate professor of English Literature and director of the Iris Murdoch Archive Project at Kingston University, and the writer and journalist Bidisha.

In the latest in the series on men and relationships, Suzi Godson looks at what retirement can mean for couples. David Ainger, who is just over 80-years-old and a retired Barrister, describes the challenges of retirement, the ingredients of his long and happy marriage of 51 years to Elizabeth, and thinking ahead to a time when one of them may be widowed.

And the contraceptive coil, more women are having them fitted. And whilst some women swear by theirs', others had no idea how painful it would be. So how much does it hurt? And do the doctors tell us? The programme asks Dr Kate Armitage, a GP in student surgery in Leeds, and Dr Sam Hutt, a GP and researcher from the Margaret Pyke centre.

Presenter: Emma Barnett
Producer: Helen Fitzhenry.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Girlguiding UK

    What worries 12 and 13 year-olds? James Davies and pSusie Hayman discuss.

    Duration: 11:20

  • Men and Relationships- Retirement

    Retired barrister David Ainger and Suzi Godson on a happy marriage and being retired.

    Duration: 11:49

  • Contraceptive Coil

    How much does it hurt? Dr Kate Armitage and Dr Sam Hutt discuss

    Duration: 09:12

  • Iris Murdoch Archive Project

    Anne Rowe and Bidisha on the life, writing and ideas of Irish Murdoch

    Duration: 07:52

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Emma Barnett
Interviewed Guest James Davies
Interviewed Guest Susie Hayman
Interviewed Guest Anne Rowe
Interviewed Guest Bidisha
Interviewed Guest Suzi Godson
Interviewed Guest David Ainger
Interviewed Guest Kate Armitage
Interviewed Guest Sam Hutt
Producer Helen Fitzhenry

Broadcast

  • Mon 24 Aug 2015 10:00

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