Infanticide is the intentional killing of a child less than 1 year old, usually by a parent. Infanticide committed within 24 hours of birth is called neonaticide. People and cultures throughout history have used infanticide as a means of dealing with overpopulation, children whom they regard as undesirable, or the inability to provide proper care. Infanticide deaths usually occur by drowning, strangulation, suffocation, or abandonment. The practice is outlawed throughout the civilized world.
There are five main categories of infanticide: (1) altruistic infanticide, which is intended to relieve real or perceived suffering in the child; (2) acutely psychotic infanticide, in which a person kills while experiencing severe mental illness; (3) accidental infanticide, where there is no homicidal intent; (4) spousal revenge infanticide, in which one parent kills a child to hurt the other parent; and (5) unwanted child infanticide, in which the infant is not desired. A common form of unwanted child infanticide is the killing of female babies that occurs in some countries because of a cultural preference for male children. Other infants may be killed as unwanted because they have a disease or abnormality.
The practice of infanticide dates back to ancient times. Many early civilizations, including ancient Greece and Rome, practiced widespread infanticide. In 1922, England passed an infanticide law, allowing for charges of manslaughter, but not murder, when a mother kills a newborn. Since then, governments have struggled with what actions to take against those who commit the crime. Common methods include imprisonment, community service, fines, psychological counseling, and participation in educational programs.
