“Medea” by Artemisia Gentileschi (c. 1620), Private Collection, Source https://www.conceptualfinearts.com, Author Stephano Pirovano (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
WARNING: Graphic Images
In Greek mythology, Medea infamously kills her children in order to hurt her unfaithful husband Jason [1][2]. The play by that name was first produced in 431 BC, and has more recently been viewed through a feminist lens [3A].
But child murders are not a thing of the past, and not limited to the stage.
Partner Revenge
“Filicide” is the deliberate killing of a son or daughter for any reason [4A]. A special category of filicide involves the killing of one’s children as revenge on a partner or spouse [5]. Often, such murders are occasioned by infidelity or suspected infidelity.
Those who murder their children out of a desire to harm the other parent view children as mere objects, the means to an end [4B][6A]. Mothers are more likely to kill children during infancy; fathers, more likely to kill children aged 8 y.o. and above [4C]. Continue reading
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 