Short Summary: As in other Latin American countries, family life in Costa Rica has witnessed significant changes in recent decades. Marriage rates are declining, while levels of female headed households, births out of wedlock, and levels of divorce are rising. This has prompted the media, government bodies and the religious establishment to express concern about the threat of 'family breakdown' and its potentially negative impact on children. Yet, little is known about whether this perception is shared by people at the grassroots level. This paper explores reactions to shifts in family and household organisation among 176 low-and middle-income women and men from different age groups in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica. A key finding is that perceptions of 'family breakdown' are influenced by the age and gender of the respondents, as well as by their different experiences and interests. Adult males, for example, had stronger concerns about 'family breakdown' than women and younger age groups. This is probably due to changing gender divisions of labour, power and rights, which have made men's own roles as sole breadwinners and family heads less assured. The paper stresses the need for public bodies to develop interventions to support families in managing the dual responsibilities of parenting and paid work, and for improving communication between adults and youth.
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