Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 18, 2006 5:12:02 GMT -5
By Richard Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
News reports about mothers accused of killing their children cause us to shudder. Such deaths strike at our deeply ingrained belief that mothers love and care for their children. How could such horrific acts occur?
In his book Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Geoffrey R. McKee presents detailed clinical explanations of such women's motivations. He expressed concern that the general public may read about high-profile cases such as those of Andrea Yates and Susan Smith and think that these women are the typical killers of children. Although some mothers who kill are mentally ill, many more are teen mothers, overwhelmed mothers, mentally retarded mothers, poor mothers, addicted mothers.
McKee cites national statistics to show that more than 1,300 children died in the United States in 2001 because of caretaker abuse or neglect. That year, about 390 children -- or one a day -- were killed by their mothers. Eight-five percent of these children were less than 6 years old; 41 percent were younger than 1.
Mothers abandon their newborns by the thousands each year at hospitals. McKee estimates that hundreds of newborns who die from abandonment are undiscovered.
His work and research allowed him to develop classifications for mothers who kill: detached, abusive/neglectful, psychotic/depressed, retaliatory and psychopathic. Through case examples, he weaves clinical explanations with actual stories that have the same sad ending. In a nonjudgmental tone, he describes their "ghosts of the nursery," family network and psychological profile and how the risk factors in their lives overwhelmed their protective factors.
One story talks about a young girl from a religiously conservative home who goes away to college. Although she is studious, her first experience of freedom (coupled with a lack of maturity) leads to late-night partying and drinking.
When she becomes pregnant, she hides the fact from her parents and friends. The shame and guilt associated with the unwanted pregnancy are insurmountable. She delivers the baby alone in her dormitory bathroom, suffocates the child and dumps the body in the trash.
McKee explains that in many such killings, the cause is poor communication rather than a lack of resources. Many teens live a double life: outwardly submissive to authorities but actually acting out socially unapproved sexual urges.
McKee stresses that prevention through three levels of intervention can reduce the incidence of maternal homicide. Parents can begin teaching their children about the "birds and the bees" through picture books. School sex-education classes are good settings to get adolescents talking with adults about sex and consequences. Problem-solving skills, assertiveness training and parent-child involvement help to prevent teen pregnancy.
At the secondary level, "safe haven" laws encourage mothers who decide that they can no longer care for their newborns to turn them over to a designated care provider rather than abandoning or killing them. In Texas, which in 1999 became the first state to pass a "Baby Moses" law, mothers can give up their newborn within 60 days of birth. A nationwide hot line, 877-440-2229, is available 24 hours to answer questions concerning this process.
Mothers should ask their teenage daughters if they have been sexually active. At the risk of raising a row with her daughter, the mother's intervention could prevent an unwanted pregnancy and harmful results. This will open discussion at a time when teens are looking for answers to their sexual curiosity -- sometimes in the wrong places.
New mothers who develop serious postpartum mood disorders should receive psychotherapy services, medication and support group therapy. If they neglect or abuse their children, the third level of intervention is required by reporting the mother to Child Protective Services.
Interventions call for family, schools and neighbors to pay attention to signals from potential, pregnant and new mothers that indicate unhealthy mother-child bonding. In the case studies, McKee suggests several risk intervention points that might have prevented each child's death.
The myth of motherhood deludes us into thinking that all mothers can naturally care for their newborns and children. Most mothers learn how to adequately care for their offspring. But thousands resent the role, feel trapped, seek escape or are incapable of learning parenting skills.
Mothers require respite from child-care demands and communication with their spouses, mothers, fathers and friends about their worries and concerns. For the sake of their children, we must help high-risk moms out of the motherhood maze.
Source : Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Richard J. Gonzales of Arlington is a freelance writer. Rgonz37034@aol.com )
http://www..dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/15046819.htm
News reports about mothers accused of killing their children cause us to shudder. Such deaths strike at our deeply ingrained belief that mothers love and care for their children. How could such horrific acts occur?
In his book Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Geoffrey R. McKee presents detailed clinical explanations of such women's motivations. He expressed concern that the general public may read about high-profile cases such as those of Andrea Yates and Susan Smith and think that these women are the typical killers of children. Although some mothers who kill are mentally ill, many more are teen mothers, overwhelmed mothers, mentally retarded mothers, poor mothers, addicted mothers.
McKee cites national statistics to show that more than 1,300 children died in the United States in 2001 because of caretaker abuse or neglect. That year, about 390 children -- or one a day -- were killed by their mothers. Eight-five percent of these children were less than 6 years old; 41 percent were younger than 1.
Mothers abandon their newborns by the thousands each year at hospitals. McKee estimates that hundreds of newborns who die from abandonment are undiscovered.
His work and research allowed him to develop classifications for mothers who kill: detached, abusive/neglectful, psychotic/depressed, retaliatory and psychopathic. Through case examples, he weaves clinical explanations with actual stories that have the same sad ending. In a nonjudgmental tone, he describes their "ghosts of the nursery," family network and psychological profile and how the risk factors in their lives overwhelmed their protective factors.
One story talks about a young girl from a religiously conservative home who goes away to college. Although she is studious, her first experience of freedom (coupled with a lack of maturity) leads to late-night partying and drinking.
When she becomes pregnant, she hides the fact from her parents and friends. The shame and guilt associated with the unwanted pregnancy are insurmountable. She delivers the baby alone in her dormitory bathroom, suffocates the child and dumps the body in the trash.
McKee explains that in many such killings, the cause is poor communication rather than a lack of resources. Many teens live a double life: outwardly submissive to authorities but actually acting out socially unapproved sexual urges.
McKee stresses that prevention through three levels of intervention can reduce the incidence of maternal homicide. Parents can begin teaching their children about the "birds and the bees" through picture books. School sex-education classes are good settings to get adolescents talking with adults about sex and consequences. Problem-solving skills, assertiveness training and parent-child involvement help to prevent teen pregnancy.
At the secondary level, "safe haven" laws encourage mothers who decide that they can no longer care for their newborns to turn them over to a designated care provider rather than abandoning or killing them. In Texas, which in 1999 became the first state to pass a "Baby Moses" law, mothers can give up their newborn within 60 days of birth. A nationwide hot line, 877-440-2229, is available 24 hours to answer questions concerning this process.
Mothers should ask their teenage daughters if they have been sexually active. At the risk of raising a row with her daughter, the mother's intervention could prevent an unwanted pregnancy and harmful results. This will open discussion at a time when teens are looking for answers to their sexual curiosity -- sometimes in the wrong places.
New mothers who develop serious postpartum mood disorders should receive psychotherapy services, medication and support group therapy. If they neglect or abuse their children, the third level of intervention is required by reporting the mother to Child Protective Services.
Interventions call for family, schools and neighbors to pay attention to signals from potential, pregnant and new mothers that indicate unhealthy mother-child bonding. In the case studies, McKee suggests several risk intervention points that might have prevented each child's death.
The myth of motherhood deludes us into thinking that all mothers can naturally care for their newborns and children. Most mothers learn how to adequately care for their offspring. But thousands resent the role, feel trapped, seek escape or are incapable of learning parenting skills.
Mothers require respite from child-care demands and communication with their spouses, mothers, fathers and friends about their worries and concerns. For the sake of their children, we must help high-risk moms out of the motherhood maze.
Source : Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Richard J. Gonzales of Arlington is a freelance writer. Rgonz37034@aol.com )
http://www..dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/15046819.htm