Citation

Saavedra L, Cameira M. Fem. Criminol. 2018; 13(5): 543-559.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1557085116688779

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, we provide a feminist perspective on neonaticidal women while critically examining the mainstream literature. We analyze 26 cases reported between 2003 and 2013 in a Portuguese online newspaper. We conclude that neonaticide must be framed by two main lines of thought: Motherhood is a social construction that imposes difficult-to-achieve norms, and it is a complex experience, intercepted by age, social class, marital status, and having other children. This approach should encourage a shift from the present focus on palliative and punitive measures to a more preemptive one including new policies on sexual education and pregnancy termination.

Language: en