Discuss the five different categories of filicide, according to Resnick (1970).

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The first category represents cases where the infant was killed for altruistic reasons. In this case, the mother believes that it is in the best interests of the child to be dead and that the mother is doing a good thing by killing the child. Here, the mother believes (whether real or imagined) that the child is suffering in some way and that the child’s pain should end. The second category in Resnick’s typology refers to the killing of a child by an acutely psychotic woman. These cases are closely linked with explanations of postpartum psychosis where the mother suffers from a severe case of mental illness and may be unaware of her action or be unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of her behaviors. The third category represents the killing of an unwanted infant. In many cases, these are cases of neonaticide. The fourth category involves the “accidental” death of a child following incidents of significant child abuse and maltreatment. The fifth category represents cases where the death of a child is used as an act of ultimate revenge against another. In many cases, these vengeful acts are against the spouse and father of the child.