Book Explores History, Reasons Why Mothers Kill Offspring

August 31, 2000
Abington, Pa. -- While the cases of babies, infants and children beaten to death or abandoned in trash cans and alleyways seem to be piling up at an alarming rate, two Penn State Abington researchers say these deadly incidents may not be any more prevalent than they were thousands of years ago.

Lita Linzer Schwartz, distinguished professor emerita of educational psychology, and Natalie K. Isser, professor emerita of history, have written a new book published by CRC Press titled, "Endangered Children: Neonaticide, Infanticide and Filicide." In the book, the researchers examine historic, cultural, socio-economic and other factors that have played a role in neonaticide, infanticide and filicide around the globe.

"People are horrified when parents kill their children, and the media focus a great deal of attention on such crimes," said Schwartz. "Although we are more aware today, as the 20^th century ends, of instances of child killing, this crime is not a modern phenomenon. Despite universal reprobation, neonaticide and infanticide have been practiced on every continent and by people on every level of cultural complexity."

Classical Chinese texts from as early as 2000 B.C., for example, document cases of infanticide and infant abandonment, according to the research. Neonaticide involves the killing of a child by their parent(s) during the first 24 hours after birth. Infanticide includes the first year after birth, while filicide covers the remainder of the child's life.

The researchers say society needs to take a stronger role to reduce these incidents by making girls and young women more aware of the responsibilities that pregnancy and motherhood entail.

"It is evident that a focus on preventing unwanted pregnancy is needed, especially among teenagers, although women in their twenties and older may also be in need of appropriate information," said Isser. "Public service announcements on radio and television, around the clock, should make women aware of where they can get help and information. Factual information about the joys and irritants of infant and child development needs to be available to all who interact with children of any age."

In addition, the researchers say that mothers who have satisfactory prenatal care are less likely, on the whole, to commit neonaticide or infanticide. They note that the young women who commit these crimes often feel isolated from family and/or society due to the shame of having a child out of wedlock. Poverty and a lack of education are also factors in many instances.

Generally speaking, Schwartz and Isser believe that the legal systems in the United States and other nations have to be better versed in mental health issues that play a part in neonaticide, infanticide and filicide. Long prison terms may not be beneficial for those found guilty of these crimes.

"That the young woman has committed a crime is not disputed; the way in which she pays for her act must be re-evaluated," said Schwartz. "Great Britain and the United Kingdom recognize that these women (who commit neonaticide) are typically not threats to society who need punishment in prison, but rather that they need mental health therapy and rehabilitative education."

For additional information on the book or to interview professors Schwartz and Isser, please contact David Jwanier, manager of public information, Penn State/Philadelphia, at 610-648-3276.