Ilegitimidad, matrimonio y mercados de trabajo femeninos en la Galicia interior, 1570-1899

Abstract

Inland Galicia is a region, which approximately covers 20% of the territory of modern Galicia. Until the end of the Ancien Régime, this region was characterized by a sparse urbanization, scarce populated areas, once-a-year harvest based in rye cultivation, the predominance of a late marriage pattern and complex family systems, and the existence of a non-egalitarian inheritance system. In this context, the average rate of illegitimacy, approaching 5-6% of total baptized children, noticed a widespread and clear increase from 1770-1780. The determination of the underlying factors that explain the continued growth of this phenomenon for nearly a century, has led us to analyse the changes recorded in the internal structure of illegitimate sexuality, transformations of local marriage markets and the crisis experienced traditional female labour markets, illustrated in this case by what happened to the domestic service of the region.

http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/ohm.24.2827