Deux siècles d´illégitimité au Costa Rica 1770 - 1974

Abstract

In Costa Rica during the past two centuries. Some of the factors which typically operate in Latin America are found: (i) an increase in illegitimacy towards the end of the colonial period, which is linked to the ‘'m.tissage'' system, and (ii) in the border provinces (Lim.n, Guanacaste and Puntarenas) a "matrifocal” family structure, together with a low rate of nuptiality. The special feature of Costa Rican illegitimacy becomes apparent when the Central Valley region in which the majority of the population live is considered. Since the nineteenth century, rates of illegitimacy here have been relatively low. The nuptiality pattern is very similar to that of Western Europe. The conclusions are somewhat paradoxical; what is anomalous in Costa Rica (the very high rates of illegitimacy encountered in the border provinces) is typical of other parts of Central America. The causes of this situation must be sought in the history of the countryside, particularly in the expansion of coffee exports throughout the nineteenth century. Un coup d'oeil sur des donn.es r.centes nous permet d'inclure le Costa Rica parmi les pays d’Am.rique latine qui ont des pourcentages de naissances ill.gitimes relativement bas. De m.me, les indices de nuptialit. hors du cadre juridique y sont mod.r.s (voir tableau I). Cependant, il faut remarquer que ces proportions ne peuvent .tre consid.r.es comme faibles que dans le contexte latino-am.ricain. Il suffit de les comparer aux chiffres europ.ens bien connus1 pour y trouver ce que nous pouvons appeler des "gradations du ph.nom.ne”. Ces variations sont associ.es, dans chaque pays, au nombre relatif des unions libres.