ABSTRACT
As we have shown, cultural mores, economic development, and technicalmedical progress have created communities that can provide more favorable and nurturing environments for families. Yet the problem of child homicide remains, though on a smaller scale than in the past. Women’s status and rights have been firmly established on more equal terms in Western societies. They have gained the vote, and, in general, have access to more control of their reproductive functions. Young people enjoy more freedom from adult supervision, have greater economic opportunities, and have a far longer adolescence than formerly. The rising divorce rate and the earlier physical maturation of youngsters have abetted earlier sexual activity. The pressure to engage in sexual intercourse is substantial. This has led to a dramatic increase in teenage pregnancy which has just begun to slide in the past few years. When a boy urges a girl to have intercourse — “everyone does it!” — what alternatives does she have? (She could say “no,” but may be weighing this against the consequences in terms of future dates, peer popularity, or other factors.) If she “does it” and becomes pregnant, again what alternatives does she have? Homicide is one tragic option, whether as neonaticide by a panic-stricken mother at the time of birth, infanticide by an ill-prepared parent in the child’s first year of life, or filicide even later.
