Avoir un enfant (ou pas) | ENS-PSL

The round table offers a rich and nuanced historical perspective on the question of having children, successfully deconstructing the notion of a free and individual choice. The speakers bring complementary expertise from different periods (medieval, modern, contemporary) and disciplines (history, sociology), which allows for a diachronic analysis of the evolution of norms and practices. The arguments are grounded in specific archival sources and published research, lending credibility to the discussion. For instance, Carole Dubois Avignon’s use of Héloïse’s letters and officiality records illustrates how the desire for a child was expressed indirectly and mediated by religious and legal frameworks. Similarly, Emmanuelle Berthiaud’s examples from private writings show the anxiety surrounding sterility and the social pressure to procreate. Antoine Rivière’s focus on family policies and the stigmatization of childless couples in the Third Republic highlights the political dimension of reproduction. Emma Tillich’s sociological perspective on maternal sentiment and voluntary sterilization brings the discussion into the contemporary era, showing how the possibility of refusing motherhood has been historically constructed. The moderation is effective, guiding the conversation while allowing for spontaneous exchanges. However, the discussion sometimes remains at a descriptive level, and the question of male desire and paternity is only briefly touched upon, despite the title’s inclusive phrasing. The sources cited are not explicitly listed in the video, but the institutional context and the speakers’ expertise ensure a high level of reliability. The video is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of family, gender, and reproduction, offering a critical perspective on the social construction of reproductive choices.

The title accurately reflects the content, which explores the historical and social dimensions of having or not having children.

8/10

The video is a round table organized by ENS-PSL, featuring four academic researchers (historians and a sociologist) who present their research based on archival sources and published works. The discussion is moderated and follows a scholarly format. The institutional context and the expertise of the speakers ensure a high level of reliability, though the format is a debate rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction by moderators, presentation of the theme and speakers.
• 05:00Carole Dubois Avignon discusses the absence of the expression 'desire for a child' in medieval sources, citing Héloïse's letters.
• 10:00Emmanuelle Berthiaud presents examples from 18th-century private writings showing anxiety about sterility.
• 15:00Antoine Rivière talks about family policies and the stigmatization of childless couples in the Third Republic.
• 20:00Emma Tillich discusses the construction of maternal sentiment and the possibility of refusing motherhood.
• 30:00Discussion on the role of religion and medical norms in shaping reproductive choices.
• 40:00Exchange on the differences between male and female perspectives on having children.
• 50:00Q&A session with the audience begins.
• 1:00:00Further audience questions on contemporary issues of parenthood and social pressure.
• 1:10:00Concluding remarks by moderators and speakers.

• Savoirs ENS — Platform hosting the video and other academic content from ENS.
• ENS-PSL official website — Institutional page of the École normale supérieure - PSL.
• Semaine de l'Histoire 2025: Enfances — Event page for the History Week where this round table took place.
• ENS-PSL LinkedIn — LinkedIn page of the institution.
• ENS-PSL YouTube channel — Official YouTube channel of ENS-PSL.

• Savoirs ENS — Platform hosting the video and other academic content from ENS.
• ENS-PSL official website — Institutional page of the École normale supérieure - PSL.