Filicide, which is defined as the act of killing one's own children, is considered one of the most shocking and difficult to understand crimes in society. This extreme act goes against the natural instincts of protection and care that most parents feel towards their children. Filicide can have different motivations and manifest itself in various ways, making it a complex topic to explore from the perspective of psychology.
Types of Filicide
1. Altruistic Filicide
Altruistic filicide is one in which the perpetrator believes, mistakenly, that killing his child is best for him or to avoid a future of suffering. For example, a parent may commit altruistic filicide if he or she believes that his or her child is doomed to suffer from an incurable disease or a life of hardship. In these cases, the perpetrator justifies his action as an act of compassion, although from an external perspective it may be considered an extreme and unjustifiable act.
2. Vengeful Filicide
Vengeful filicide occurs when the perpetrator seeks revenge on another person through the murder of his or her own child. In this type of filicide, the child becomes a means to cause pain to a third party. For example, a father may murder his child to emotionally hurt the child's mother as a form of revenge for a separation or disagreement. This type of filicide is usually driven by intense feelings of rage, resentment, or desire to cause suffering to others.
3. Psychotic Filicide
Psychotic filicide occurs when the perpetrator suffers from a serious mental condition that affects their perception of reality and their abilities to reason coherently. In this case, the act of killing one's own children may be motivated by hallucinations, delusions or other manifestations of psychosis. People who commit psychotic filicide may not be fully aware of their actions or have a logical justification for them, since their perception of reality is distorted by their mental condition.
4. Accidental Filicide
Accidental filicide refers to the unintentional death of a child at the hands of a father or mother. This type of filicide can occur in situations where caregivers make serious mistakes that result in the death of the child, such as leaving the child in a dangerous place without supervision, using excessive disciplinary methods that result in fatal injuries, or extreme negligence in the care of the child. Although there is no direct intention to kill the child, the result is the loss of the child's life due to the irresponsible action of his parents.
5. Filicide Filicide
Filicide filicide is an extreme case in which a child kills his own parents. Although the dynamic is reversed compared to other types of filicide, this phenomenon also has complex motivations and psychological causes. Children who commit filicide may be influenced by past trauma, mental disorders, abuse, or other factors that lead them to commit such a heinous act. This type of filicide raises questions about the relationship between parents and children, as well as about domestic violence and the cycles of violence that can be repeated from generation to generation.
Motivations for Filicide
The motivations that lead a person to commit filicide can be complex and multifaceted. Often, these crimes occur in a context of dysfunctional interpersonal relationships, unresolved trauma, untreated mental disorders, or situations of emotional crisis. Below are some of the most common motivations behind filicide:
1. Mental Disorders
Mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression or personality disorders, can be factors that predispose a person to commit filicide. These conditions can distort the perception of reality and lead to dangerous thoughts and behaviors toward children. It is crucial that people with mental disorders receive appropriate care and treatment to prevent situations of domestic violence.
2. Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse, whether physical, emotional or sexual, can cause a breakdown in the relationship between parents and children, generating feelings of anger, resentment or desire for revenge in the parental figure. In some extreme cases, parents who have been victims of abuse as children may repeat patterns of violence with their own children, perpetuating a cycle of intergenerational abuse that culminates in filicide.
3. Emotional Crises
Emotional crises, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of employment or serious financial problems, can trigger situations of desperation and emotional imbalance that lead to extreme acts such as filicide. In times of high psychological vulnerability, people may temporarily lose the ability to regulate their emotions and act rationally, which increases the risk of committing violent acts against their children.
4. Religious or Ideological Fanaticism
In some cases, filicide can be motivated by extreme religious, sectarian or ideological beliefs. Some people may commit filicide in the name of a supposed religious doctrine that interprets the sacrifice of children as an act of devotion or redemption. These extreme ideas can lead to irrational and dangerous behaviors that put the lives of minors at risk and that contradict the basic principles of protection and care for children.
5. Denial of Paternity
In situations where the paternity of a child is not recognized, or when there are family conflicts related to filiation, filicide can arise as an extreme form of denying parental responsibility or as an expression of rejection towards the child that is considered a threat to the identity of the aggressor. These conflict situations can be permeated with intense emotions that trigger impulsive and destructive acts towards children.
Conclusion
The phenomenon of filicide poses ethical, legal and psychological challenges in today's society. . Understanding the different types and motivations behind these crimes is essential to prevent future cases and to provide support to affected families. Early detection of risk factors, timely psychological intervention and strengthening family ties are key measures to address this problem in a comprehensive and effective manner.
Ultimately, filicide urges us to reflect on the fragility of the human condition and the importance of promoting healthy and safe family environments where children can grow and develop fully and protected.