Infanticide and child destruction — The historical, legal and pathological aspects

Perinatal risk factors for neonaticide and infant homicide: can we identify those at risk?

“…12 In addition, the census figures of this time 'showed a very marked predominance of male children over female children, strongly suggesting deliberate female infant homicide'. 11 These figures mirror those currently found amongst certain Eskimo tribes in Canada, 13 in the states of Tamil Nadu, Rajastan and Bihar in India 14 and in China. 15 Various explanations have been offered, ranging from a simple 'preference of sons' 10 or the wish 'to exert male dominance over the household', 16 to economics whereby in some cultures females are seen as liabilities rather than assets.…”

“…Neonaticide has been shown to be more common amongst teenage mothers than older mothers 11,19 and in those with low levels of education. 20 Although these factors may be associated with poverty, the connection remains uncertain.…”

“…Regarding economics, it has been suggested that most neonaticidal mothers are financially poor, 18 but in recent studies 5,11,19 the contribution of economic circumstances has not been examined directly. Neonaticide has been shown to be more common amongst teenage mothers than older mothers 11,19 and in those with low levels of education.…”

“…Weak or deformed babies were destroyed for eugenic reasons and because they would be a burden on the state. 11 In the rest of Europe, however, there is little reliable information until the medieval era. In medieval England neonaticide was common.…”

Neonaticide in India and the stigma of female gender: report of two cases

“…In certain civilizations such the Aztecs, ancient Chinese, Mardudjara Aboriginals of Australia, some African cultures, and the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was considered righteous to kill weak and congenitally malformed infants. 11,12 Because the crime is under-reported, the exact incidence is difficult to ascertain. Reviews have suggested that the combined rate of neonaticide and infanticide in many developed countries ranges from 2.4-7/ 100,000.…”