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Infanticide: contrasting views.

M G Spinelli1

  • 1Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. mgs8@columbia.edu

Archives of Women'S Mental Health
|May 4, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Infanticide, the killing of an infant, is a complex issue influenced by societal norms and laws. This study examines global infanticide, exploring its causes, cultural attitudes, and the justice system

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Area of Science:

  • Sociology
  • Criminology
  • Cultural Studies

Background:

  • Infanticide elicits complex societal reactions, with paradoxes in societies that practice gender selection yet prosecute mothers for infant death.
  • Historical, cultural, and political perspectives on infanticide are reviewed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze infanticide cases within the American judicial system, using Andrea Yates as an example of a psychotic mother's conviction.
  • To explore global infanticide experiences, examining cultural attitudes towards its causes, facilitation, and punishment.
  • To illustrate the link between societal views on parenthood/mothering and the phenomenon of infanticide.

Main Methods:

  • Case study analysis (Andrea Yates).
  • Comparative review of global infanticide cases and cultural attitudes.
  • Literature review of historical, cultural, and political contexts.

Main Results:

  • Infanticide is deeply intertwined with societal structures, driven by factors like poverty, stigma, dowry practices, and insanity.
  • Global infanticide ranges from gender-selective practices in Asia to capital punishment for mothers in the US.

Conclusions:

  • Infanticide reflects societal disregard for women and is influenced by political, cultural, social, and legal backgrounds.
  • It is linked to norms of motherhood, postpartum illness, population control, and sex selection, indicating discrimination against women and children.
  • Societies must improve the protection of motherhood.

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