Matricide is the term coined and used by criminologists, social researchers, and other students of homicide to describe the murder of a mother by a son. Patricide, on the other hand is the death of a father. Finally parricide It is the most generic term to talk about the death of one or both parents, at the hands of their children. This last term is also used when it comes to one of the grandparents or another close relative.
Although statistically rare, experts say that about 300 murders of this nature occur each year in the United States of America, however, it is also known that the cases of parents who kill their children occur twice as much.
Talking about these crimes is always shocking, but it is not something new. History and literature, from the Bible to police files, are replete with examples.
We are a species that hurts – and sometimes kills – those we supposedly love. Sadly, between 10 and 16 percent of annual homicides occur within families, according to civil associations related to this issue.
probable causes
According to criminologist Kathleen Heide, a student of why humans kill each other, cases of children murdering their parents can be classified into three categories, which provide insight into why they do so. :
The first typical case is that of a child or adolescent who is severely physically and emotionally mistreated, who finds a way out through homicide to put an end to the abuse.
A second is the son with a serious mental illness, who commits the crime – almost always alone – as a result of it. Schizophrenia is the condition most associated as a risk factor in cases of matricide and patricide.
Finally, it may be due to an antisocial personality, who kills for selfish or instrumental reasons, such as freedom, money, or even to get a boyfriend or girlfriend.
About 15% of homicides commit suicide after carrying out the parricide
In addition, it is recorded that almost 90% of these murders are carried out by sons, while in 10% of cases, daughters are to blame.
Values and family in relation to parricide
Unfortunately, the crimes of patricide and matricide are a reflection of a damaged family structure. The Family, as an institution, is the place where we should find protection and where we prepare to live with others, however, the lack of values has meant that these cases continue to occur with increasing frequency.
Photos: iStock – DebraLee Wiseberg / ONiONAstudio
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