Understanding Fillicide: Causes, Notable Cases, and Preventive Measures
PPT ON SUCHANA SETH-A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERVIEW- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Introduction
Fillicide, the act of a parent killing their own child, is a tragic and deeply disturbing phenomenon that has occurred throughout history. This blog post aims to shed light on the concept of fillicide, explore its underlying reasons, examine notable cases, and discuss the importance of mental health in preventing such acts.
Suchana Seth, CEO of artificial intelligence start-up Mindful AI Lab, was arrested in Karnataka’s Chitradurga with her son’s body in a bag.
Bengaluru-based artificial intelligence start-up CEO was arrested by Karnataka Police on Monday when she tried to flee with the body of her 4-year-old son.
Suchana Seth, 39, allegedly killed her son at a Goa hotel and was fleeing to Karnataka in a taxi with the body stuffed in a bag. However, police got the whiff of the incident and arrested Seth from Karnataka’s Chitradurga.
The Mindful AI Lab CEO had checked in a Goa hotel on January 6 and checked out two days later on January 8.
The incident came to light after a hotel staff noticed blood stains in the room where Seth had stayed, and alerted the police.
According to the police, after committing the crime, Suchana Seth had asked the hotel staff to arrange a taxi for her.
When police confronted her, she told them that she had left her son at a relative’s place in South Goa. The address she gave became fake. Police found her answers evasive and they got suspicious. They asked the cab driver to report to the police station to gather more information. During interrogation, they found the body of the four years boy in the suitcasse.
Understanding Fillicide
Fillicide is a term derived from the Latin words “filii” (child) and “cidium” (killing). It refers to the intentional act of a parent taking the life of their own biological or adopted child. This act can occur in various forms, including infanticide (killing of an infant), neonaticide (killing of a newborn), or even the murder of an adult child.
Reasons for Fillicide
Understanding the complex motivations behind fillicide is crucial in order to address and prevent such tragic events. While each case is unique, several common factors have been identified:
1. Mental Health Issues: Mental health problems, such as postpartum depression, psychosis, or other psychiatric disorders, can significantly contribute to the occurrence of fillicide. These conditions may impair a parent’s judgment, distort their perception of reality, or lead to a loss of emotional control.
2. Relationship Problems: Strained relationships between parents, marital conflicts, or custody disputes can create an environment of extreme stress and emotional turmoil. These factors, when combined with unresolved anger or resentment, may increase the risk of fillicide.
3. Substance Abuse: Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction, can impair judgment, alter behavior, and contribute to violent tendencies. Parents struggling with addiction may become neglectful, abusive, or even resort to fillicide.
4. Financial Stress: Financial difficulties, such as unemployment, debt, or poverty, can create immense pressure on parents. The inability to provide for their child’s basic needs may lead to feelings of hopelessness, desperation, and, in extreme cases, fillicide.
Famous Fillicide Cases
While every fillicide case is a tragedy, some have gained significant media attention due to their shocking nature or high-profile individuals involved. Notable examples include:
1. Andrea Yates: In 2001, Andrea Yates drowned her five children in a bathtub. She suffered from severe postpartum depression and psychosis, highlighting the importance of recognizing and treating mental health issues.
2. Susan Smith: In 1994, Susan Smith strapped her two young sons into their car seats and rolled the car into a lake, resulting in their deaths. Smith’s actions were driven by a desire to pursue a relationship without the burden of motherhood.
3. Mary Ann Cotton: In the 19th century, Mary Ann Cotton poisoned several of her children and stepchildren for financial gain. Her case exemplifies the intersection of financial stress and fillicide.
Mental Health and Fillicide Prevention
To effectively prevent fillicide, addressing mental health issues is of paramount importance. This can be achieved through various means:
1. Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, particularly those affecting parents, can help identify individuals at risk and facilitate early intervention.
2. Access to Mental Health Services: Ensuring accessible and affordable mental health services, including therapy and counseling, can provide parents with the support they need to manage their mental well-being and prevent potential acts of fillicide.
3. Supportive Parenting Programs: Implementing programs that promote positive parenting skills, stress management techniques, and conflict resolution can help parents navigate the challenges they may face, reducing the likelihood of fillicide.
4. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior: Reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues and encouraging parents to seek help when needed can contribute to early intervention and prevention of fillicide.
Conclusion
Fillicide is a tragic and complex phenomenon that demands our attention and understanding. By addressing the underlying causes, promoting mental health awareness, and providing support to parents, we can strive towards a society where fillicide becomes a thing of the past. Let us work together to create a safer and more compassionate world for children and their families.
Emotional Intelligence and Basic psychology is to be taught to everyone. Kindly get in touch with Emocare, India’s first chain of counselling centers to learn Psychology or to take Effective Internship in Psychology. Please download a PPT on the issue.
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