Between science and the Catholic doctrine: eugenics, marriage and sexuality in the early Francoism

Abstract

The aim of this work is to explore the formation of Catholic eugenics during the first Francoism from the relationships between eugenics, marriage and sexuality. Before the idea that defends Francoist eugenics, strongly influenced by Catholicism, was a minor issue, our study shows how there was a process of reapropriation and redefinition of eugenics from the doctrine of the encyclical Casti connubii, whose main political consequence was the moral coercion of the population and the control of their customs. We also show the ambiguity of Catholic doctrine against the sterilization of criminals.