Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic: The Society and Its Environment
assistance is a form of adoption by which poorer families give a
child to more affluent relatives to raise. The adopting family is
expected to care for the child and see that he or she receives a
proper upbringing. The children are frequently little better
than unpaid domestic help. Implicit in the arrangement is the
understanding that the child's biological family also will receive
assistance from the adopting family.
Kinship serves as a metaphor for relations of trust in general.
Where a kin tie is lacking or where individuals wish to
reinforce one, they will often establish a relationship of compadrazgo
(coparenthood) . Those so linked are compadres
(coparents or godparents). In common with much of Latin
America, strong emotional bonds link compadres. Compadres use
the formal usted instead of tu in addressing one another, even if
they are kinsmen. Sexual relations between compadres are
regarded as incestuous. Compadres are commonly chosen at
baptism and marriage, but the relationship extends to the two
sets of parents. The tie between the two sets of parents should
be strong and enduring. Any breach of trust merits the strongest
community censure.
There are two accepted forms of marriage: religious and
civil. Both serial monogamy and polygamous free unions are
socially accepted, however. Annulment is difficult to obtain
through the Roman Catholic Church; this fact, in addition to
the expense involved, has made couples reluctant to undertake
a religious marriage. Civil marriage is relatively common.
Divorce in this case is relatively easy and uncomplicated. Marriage
forms also reflect the individual's life cycle. Most opt for
free unions when they are younger, then settle into more formal
marriages as they grow older and enjoy more economic
security. Class also plays a role: religious marriage is favored by
the middle and upper class and thus indicates higher socioeconomic
status. The ideal marriage involves a formal engagement
and religious wedding followed by an elaborate fiesta.
No shame accrues to the man who fathers many children
and maintains several women as mistresses. Public disapproval
follows only if the man fails to assume the role of "head of the
family" and to support his children. When a free union dissolves,
a woman typically receives only the house she and her
mate have inhabited. The children receive support only if they
have been legally recognized by their father.
Families are usually more stable in the countryside. Because
the partners usually reside in the midst of their kin, a man can-
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