Addressing the complex definition of filicide and assessing the problems that can arise from these complexities. The age range of victims and the incorporation of stepparents are discussed in reference to the difficulties that they can pose. Filicidal notions are drawn from historical and modern literature in a bid to highlight the prevalence of the subject, whilst moving on to consider who commits filicide and the motives for such an act. The work of Resnick (1969) will be explored and acknowledged for providing a significant turning point in the study of filicide, and his development of motive categories. Once the act of filicide has been firmly established, the hidden aspect of this crime will be explored. This includes the apparent ‘medicalisation’ of filicide and draws upon Wilczynski’s (1997) discussion of filicidal parents as being either ‘mad’ or ‘bad’. Additionally, the moral dilemma surrounding the filicidal act is also discussed, with attention drawn to cultural differences of opinion and the cultural pressures that somewhat condone the presence of filicide within certain cultures. This will be followed by a discussion of filicide’s route to ‘medicalisation’ and how the roots for this change may be embedded in the modernisation of criminal justice methods. This will lead to an acknowledgement of filicide as a criminal act and highlight the problems surrounding the Infanticide Acts of 1922 and 1938 that were raised by parliament. These problems mirror those that are found within the definition of filicide and include the problem with age ranges and inclusion of stepparents. Homicide statistical data will be analysed in relation to their relevance and then explored further to highlight any problems that are visibly present when focus is placed solely on acts of filicide. At this point I draw upon my own research, which was conducted in a bid to assess the knowledge level of filicide exhibited by students currently studying Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Leeds.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The act of filicide
- Who commits filicide?
- Why commit filicide?
- Victimology
- Chapter 2: A Hidden Crime
- The medicalisation of filicide
- The moral dilemma
- The route to ‘medicalisation’
- Chapter 3: Acknowledging the act of filicide
- Why is filicide unfamiliar in the criminological field?
- The age range distinction
- Maternal versus Paternal and surrogate parentage
- Statistical data
- Knowledge of filicide: A short survey
- Methodology
- Findings
- Media portrayal
- Chapter 4: Bringing filicide back into the criminological sphere
- Acknowledgement of risk
- Filicide versus 'stranger danger'
- What would be the Benefits?
- What would be the negatives?
Objectives and Key Themes
This dissertation aims to reintroduce filicide into the criminological field, arguing that increased awareness could benefit society. It explores the definition of filicide, its historical context, and its current representation in the criminal justice system and media. The study also investigates the lack of awareness surrounding filicide and proposes that a renewed focus could shift societal anxieties away from the "stranger danger" narrative.
- The definition and historical context of filicide.
- The underrepresentation of filicide within criminology and its societal implications.
- The "medicalization" of filicide and its cultural variations.
- The comparison of filicide to other forms of child murder and its impact on risk perception.
- The potential benefits and drawbacks of increased awareness of filicide.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The act of filicide: This chapter establishes a working definition of filicide, addressing the complexities and inconsistencies surrounding the age of victims and the inclusion of step-parents. It traces the history of filicide, drawing on both factual and fictional accounts, and utilizes Dr. Phillip Resnick's categories of motive to explore who commits filicide and why. The chapter lays the groundwork for subsequent chapters by firmly establishing filicide as a significant, albeit often overlooked, form of homicide.
Chapter 2: A Hidden Crime: This chapter delves into the reasons for filicide's relative obscurity within the criminological field. It examines the phenomenon of the "medicalization" of filicide, highlighting how this process influences perceptions and the legal responses to such crimes. Cultural variations in the acceptance of filicide are discussed, underscoring the significant moral dilemmas that arise. The chapter explores the historical and societal factors contributing to the current understanding (or lack thereof) of filicide.
Chapter 3: Acknowledging the act of filicide: This chapter directly addresses the lack of awareness regarding filicide within the criminological community and society at large. It presents statistical data demonstrating the prevalence of filicide in homicide statistics and includes the results of a short independent survey that further underscores this lack of awareness. The chapter also analyzes the media's portrayal of filicide cases, exploring how the reporting of these events shapes public perception and understanding. The analysis of age ranges, parental relationships, and media impact builds a strong case for the need for increased research.
Keywords
Filicide, infanticide, child murder, criminology, victimology, medicalization, cultural variations, risk perception, stranger danger, media portrayal, criminal justice system, homicide statistics, societal awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Criminological Study of Filicide
What is the main topic of this dissertation?
This dissertation aims to reintroduce filicide (the killing of a child by a parent) into the criminological field, arguing that increased awareness could benefit society. It explores the definition, historical context, and current representation of filicide in the criminal justice system and media. The study also investigates the lack of awareness surrounding filicide and proposes that a renewed focus could shift societal anxieties away from the "stranger danger" narrative.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include the definition and historical context of filicide; its underrepresentation within criminology and societal implications; the "medicalization" of filicide and its cultural variations; a comparison of filicide to other forms of child murder and its impact on risk perception; and the potential benefits and drawbacks of increased awareness of filicide.
What are the chapters about?
Chapter 1: The act of filicide defines filicide, exploring its complexities, history, and motives. Chapter 2: A Hidden Crime investigates why filicide is relatively obscure in criminology, focusing on its "medicalization" and cultural variations. Chapter 3: Acknowledging the act of filicide addresses the lack of awareness of filicide, presenting statistical data, survey results, and media portrayals. Chapter 4: Bringing filicide back into the criminological sphere discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of increased awareness, comparing it to the "stranger danger" narrative.
What is the methodology used in this study?
The study utilizes a combination of literature review, statistical analysis of existing data on filicide, and the results of an independent survey to assess the level of societal awareness regarding filicide. It also analyzes media portrayals of filicide cases to understand how they shape public perception.
What are the key findings of this study?
The study highlights the significant underrepresentation of filicide within the criminological field and society at large. It demonstrates a lack of awareness about filicide and suggests that this lack of awareness contributes to skewed societal anxieties that focus on "stranger danger" rather than the more prevalent threat of filicide. The study proposes that increased awareness and research into filicide could lead to better prevention and intervention strategies.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Filicide, infanticide, child murder, criminology, victimology, medicalization, cultural variations, risk perception, stranger danger, media portrayal, criminal justice system, homicide statistics, societal awareness.
What is the overall goal of this research?
The overarching goal is to raise awareness about filicide within the criminological community and society at large, arguing that a better understanding of this crime can lead to more effective prevention and intervention strategies, ultimately benefiting society.
Who would benefit from reading this dissertation?
This dissertation would be beneficial to criminologists, sociologists, researchers, students, law enforcement professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of child homicide and improving societal safety.
- Quote paper
- Rebecca Getliffe (Author), 2013, The Act of Filicide. How offenders and motives differ from other murders, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/936191
