Consensual Unions in Latin America: Persistence of a Dual Nuptiality System

作者: Teresa Castro Martin

DOI: 10.3138/JCFS.33.1.35

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摘要: INTRODUCTION Family formation patterns have undergone significant transformations in the past decades. Among recent trends, rise cohabitation has attracted particular attention demographic and sociological literature (Bumpass et al., 1991). Most studies focused on Western societies, hence prevailing tendency to regard as an outcome of modernization process. Its increase generally been linked search for personal autonomy diminishing acceptability institutional regulation sphere family life that driven "second transition" (van de Kaa, 1987; Inglehart, 1997). But consensual unions are not exclusive developed world. Their prevalence is high many developing regions, such Latin America Caribbean (Quilodran 1999; De Vos, 2000), some parts sub-Saharan Africa (Meekers, 1991; Thiriat, 1999). Moreover, social meaning attached these well their historical, socioeconomic cultural roots differ largely from those observed The coexistence formal marriages long a distinctive feature nuptiality (Camisa, 1978; United Nations, 1990). In countries, proportion even surpasses legal marriages, particularly at young ages (Quilodran, 1985). Although couples eventually formalize union (Goldman Pebley, 1981), large segment never "legalized", implying considerable families built outside traditional marriage framework. Whereas societies usually serves trial period preceding or alternative singlehood (Rindfuss VanDenHeuvel, 1990), best described surrogate marriages. absence ceremony contract does preclude full recognition condition childbearing behaviour. Consensual integral component American system centuries (Gonzalbo Aizpuru, 1998). Some historical can be traced back colonial period, when male colonizers, outnumbering women, found "amancebamiento" means sanctioning sexual with indigenous women (McCaa, 1994). Formal guaranteed intergenerational transmission property within Spanish elite whereas common-law simply mutual consent, were typical among mestizo population (Lavrin, 1989; Folbre, Since rites highly elaborate costly during through most nineteenth century, deferred forwent instead formed unions, very proportions -possibly 30 50 per cent - births occurring out wedlock (Kuzneof Oppenheimer, imposition Catholic model was main concern both Church State (Pescador, 1988), success only partial culturally ethnically mixed society and, cases, they hindered it strict endogamous codes (Nazzari, 1996). rural areas, scarcity civil ecclesiastic authorities may also prevented seeking religious sanction unions. However, although informal widespread socially recognized, rarely conferred same prestige Besides legacy tradition, contemporary conditions likely part explanation region. Unlike where emerged urban educated sectors society, more prevalent disadvantaged strata, suggesting economic costs act deterrent marriage. …

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