According to a new book titled “Death Control in the West 1500–1800: Sex Ratios at Baptism in Italy, France and England,” the practice of infanticide by married parents in early modern Europe was far more prevalent than previously believed.
This groundbreaking research, authored by Gregory Hanlon and other contributors, sheds light on the widespread occurrence of infanticide in Europe during this period. Hanlon, a distinguished behavioral historian from Dalhousie University in Canada, argues that infanticide was often overlooked and forgotten due to its nature as a non-revenge-seeking crime.
Unveiling Hidden Truths
Hanlon highlights the limited focus of existing scholarship, which neglects the examination of sex ratios among newborns brought for baptism shortly after birth. The analysis of baptismal records reveals significant increases in the number of male baptisms following famines and diseases.
Contrary to popular belief, infanticide was not limited to unwed or illicit pregnancies. Hanlon suggests that married infanticidal mothers may have been much more numerous, with potential victims in rural Tuscany accounting for a significant portion of live births.
Patterns Across Borders
The research draws from baptismal registers and ecclesiastical censuses from various parishes in Italy, France, and England. Hanlon’s findings indicate similar infanticide patterns across urban and rural areas, as well as among different religious denominations.
The study highlights regional preferences, such as the willingness to sacrifice one twin in rural 17th century Tuscany or the favoring of girls over boys among working-class parents in Parma. Lower-status families in Villeneuve-sur-Lot and upper-class parents in rural Mézin also exhibited preferences for girls and boys, respectively.
A Societal Perspective
“Death Control in the West 1500-1800” not only exposes the unrecorded existence and unpunished deaths of countless infants but also highlights the lenient treatment of infanticide as a crime. Hanlon explores the complex interactions between the state, criminal justice system, poverty, and social class structures.
This study prompts readers to move beyond moralistic judgments and consider the historical and contemporary implications of infanticide, particularly in the context of reproductive rights.
More information:
Gregory Hanlon, Death Control in the West 1500–1800, (2022).
DOI: 10.4324/9781003289784
Citation:
New book suggests historical infanticide in Europe was likely more widespread than estimated (2023, July 17)
retrieved 17 July 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-07-historical-infanticide-europe-widespread.html
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Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
