The European Rural Stem Family as a Determinant of Illegitimacy
The European Rural Stem Family as a Determinant of Illegitimacy

Summary/Abstract: This essay examines to what extend illegitimacy was linked and even determined by rules of non-egalitarian transmission of family assets and values, as single-heir norm, in past Europe. Family transmission systems and mating strategies could explain why some regions, together with a high age at first marriage, used to present an important rate of illegitimacy: high frequency of births out of wedlock was observed in connexion with premarital work for young people, mostly non-inheriting daughters and sons being employed in domestic service. In rural context, this went with late marriage and/or impediments to regular unions, particularly in mountainous areas, that favoured “bastardy” and celibacy. The analyse of family transmission systems allows a better understanding of extramarital fertility. It is argued that the rural stem family was a main determinant of illegitimacy and marital non conformism in past Europe.

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