Filicide is the act of killing your own son or daughter. Five major reasons for the act have been identified and categorized by psychiatrists.

One is ”altruistic”, believing that it would be in the child’s best interest, for example if the child is terminally ill or the parent intends to kill themselves and don’t want the children left alone in what they consider a cruel world. Another reason is “acute psychosis”, for example believing that your child is possessed by an evil spirit and a danger. Then there are “unwanted children”, regarded as a hindrance by the parent. There are also "accidental killings", usually a result of physical abuse without the intent of murder. Finally there is "spousal revenge", such as in the Greek story of Medea who exacted revenge on her husband Jason by killing their children.

In the US alone about 500 children are killed each year by their parents with the mother being close to as likely to commit the horrendous act as the father.

Campaign: “Curse of Strahd”, Dungeons & Dragons

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