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Demographic and Sociological Indicators of Privatisation of Marriage in the 19th Century in Flanders

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  • Koen Matthijs

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Abstract

Relying on the assumption that privatisation of family life intensified in the19th century and that women were the pioneers in this process, we formulate nine hypotheses concerning indicators on family and marriage. The hypotheses are tested using data for three municipalities in Flanders (roughly the northern part of Belgium) covering the period 1800–1913, taken from about 17,000marriage certificates. Special emphasis is on gender and social status distinctions. Most of the hypotheses, particularly those relating to first marriage, are confirmed. The various developments point to an underlying process which we refer to here as the privatisation of marriage, which can be explained by the changed social position and gender identity of women. The hypothesis put forward is that19th-century economic and political marginalisation encouraged women to develop their dyadic power in primary relationships. Marrying young and creating an identity around expressive family and motherhood tasks was, for many women, a reaction to and a remedy for their public exclusion and economic subordination.

Suggested Citation

  • Koen Matthijs, 2003. "Demographic and Sociological Indicators of Privatisation of Marriage in the 19th Century in Flanders," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 19(4), pages 375-412, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:19:y:2003:i:4:d:10.1023_a:1026361006200
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1026361006200
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    Cited by:

    1. Robyn Donrovich & Paul Puschmann & Koen Matthijs, 2014. "Rivalry, solidarity, and longevity among siblings," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(38), pages 1167-1198.
    2. Frans W. A. Van Poppel & Hendrik P. Van Dalen & Evelien Walhout, 2009. "Diffusion of a social norm: tracing the emergence of the housewife in the Netherlands, 1812–19221," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 62(1), pages 99-127, February.
    3. van den Berg, Gerard J. & Gupta, Sumedha, 2015. "The role of marriage in the causal pathway from economic conditions early in life to mortality," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 141-158.

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