Les refus de la maternité
The Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme is organising an evening presentation of the book Les refus de la maternité (Refusal of Motherhood), to be published on 16 April 2026 in the ‘54’ collection by Éditions de la MSH.
This ‘Livres en dialogue’ session will welcome the author of the book, Marjoline Coulas, in conversation with a journalist.
At the end of the session, you will have the opportunity to ask your questions to our guests.
This research analyses the legal, religious and social issues related to contraceptive practices and motherhood outside marriage in France, from the late Middle Ages to the 19th century. The author begins with the central role of the Catholic Church in regulating female sexuality and procreation, a role she puts into perspective with contemporary scandals that have rekindled her interest in these issues. The aim is to understand how canon law and secular law have regulated, sanctioned or tolerated women's strategies for refusing motherhood. The first part traces the influence of canon law between the 12th and 16th centuries. It shows how marriage and motherhood were the pillars of the Church's definition of womanhood, while any contraceptive practice was considered secret, magical or witchcraft. The author also recalls the weight of ancient medical theories and theological debates on the animation of the embryo, which shaped the moral and legal perception of abortion.
The second section reveals how theologians gradually imposed strict control over female sexuality, despite the absence of a clear definition of sin and crime in relation to contraception or abortion.
The second part examines the growing influence of secular power between the 16th and 19th centuries. Under royal impetus, procreation became a matter of state, as illustrated by Henri II's edict on the mandatory declaration of pregnancy. Despite varying practices across regions, women remained the focus of suspicion, while religious debates on the status of the foetus continued. In modern times, moral prohibition remained strong, but marital contraception gradually became tolerated, unlike abortion, which was increasingly suppressed. The Revolution and the Empire reaffirmed the central role of marriage, strengthened state control over motherhood and criminalised abortion, while maintaining a deeply pro-natalist vision. In the 19th century, demographic concerns and the influence of Catholicism further tightened the constraints on single mothers, midwives and birth control practices.
The main idea of the book is to highlight the decisive role played by the Church, and later the State, in establishing continuous control over motherhood. Among its strengths are the wealth of sources, the variety of texts used, and a detailed analysis of the continuities and breaks between religious norms and secular legislation.
Marjorie Coulas holds a PhD in legal history. She has been working at the Centre for Legal History and Anthropology (CHAD EA 4417) at Paris Nanterre University since 2016.
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