Infanticide

Infanticide Definition

Infanticide refers to the killing of infants, often soon after birth, and has historically been employed in various contexts, including human societies and the animal world. In nonindustrial societies, this practice was sometimes used as a mechanism for population control during times of scarcity, or to eliminate children deemed to possess unacceptable characteristics, such as deformities, or those whose births were considered taboo, such as twin or breech births. Furthermore, infanticide has been observed in the animal kingdom, where newly dominant males may kill off their predecessors’ young to enhance the survival and success of their own offspring.

Historical and Societal Context

The reasons behind the practice of infanticide varied significantly across different societies. In many nonindustrial settings, it served several functions: controlling population numbers during periods of hardship like famine or war; eradicating children with undesirable traits, such as disability or illness; eliminating births considered taboo; and reinforcing patriarchal social structures, often involving the killing or neglect of more females than males. Philosophical ideas, such as those proposed by Plato regarding ideal legislation, have also touched upon the concept of infanticide concerning ‘defective’ children, which was historically practised in societies like Sparta.

Legal Context (UK)

In the context of United Kingdom law, the term relates specifically to the manslaughter of a child under the age of twelve months committed by the child’s mother, as stipulated under the Infanticide Act of 1938.