THE ISSUE OF ORPHANHOOD IN CHILE DURING NINETEENTH CENTURY: A LOOK TO THE ROLE OF THE STATE

Abstract

This article studies the role played by the Chilean state in the care of orphans during the nineteenth century. Through an overview of the whole century, the work focuses on both actors and key moments to analyze the evolution of the public beneficence. Given the liberal character with which the Chilean State was built after the Independence and the persistent lack of economic resources, the social issue of the orphanhood was mainly assumed by the civil society and the Catholic Church. Towards the end of the century, and enjoying a stronger institutionality, the Chilean State began to play a more relevant role that would be deepened in the following century.