Les violences en périnatalité, regards historiques (XVIIe–XIXe siècle)

Abstract

Perinatal violence has been little studied for the pre-contemporary period, especially in terms of its impact on the mental health of mothers and children. This article examines the history of perinatal violence from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, highlighting the diversity of its forms and the difficulty of analysing them using current criteria. It shows that such violence was not limited to intentional acts but also included cultural practices and beliefs that were often internalised or normalised. Pregnant women were regarded as potentially harmful to the fetus through their emotions, while maternal mental disorders were initially attributed to women's nature before being linked to social factors. Women also experienced violence during childbirth, both in traditional and in medical settings. Newborns, for their part, were subjected to forms of care that would now be considered violent. Medical progress helped to reduce mortality but sometimes introduced new forms of constraint. Over time, changing attitudes led to a greater recognition of children's needs. This historical perspective thus sheds light on contemporary debates on “obstetric violence” and on the consideration of perinatal mental health, underlining the depth of the continuities and ruptures that shape current practices.