“There is nothing so
horrific as child murder, yet it is ubiquitous in human nature. What drives a
parent to kill a baby?”
By: Sandra Newman
Level of Difficulty:
***
NOW READ
·
Click on the audio recording to the left of your
screen and follow as you listen. Highlight the main points and the important
details
QUESTIONS
1.
What widely held belief did Peter Singer
contradict?
2.
Singer’s basic reasoning seems to be borne out /
not borne out by historical fact because…
3.
The surprising reason for the above is the
undisputed fact that…
4.
What view does the study with Norway rats
contradict? Be precise.
5.
Read the examples of infanticide in the animal
kingdom. What overall conclusion can be drawn from these examples?
6.
The human attitude to infanticide is best
compared to that of…
7.
It is understood from the text that human
infanticide is mainly practiced for rational reasons/ emotional reasons/
practical reasons/ sensible reasons/ social reasons.
8.
Read the story of the Chinese woman. Does her
story support or contradict the above statement?
9.
What knee-jerk reaction to the story is proved
to be wrong by the same story?
10.
We understand from the customs in ancient
Athens, early Scandinavia and the Christian world in the 17th
century that the cut off point for infanticide was…………because it was then that
the child was………………………
11.
What method of disposing of an infant seems to
be most favored? Why?
12.
What characterized the methods of killing
mothers resorted to? There was…
13.
Read the account of the attitude of the law to
infanticide. What conclusion can we draw from the information provided?
·
There was strong public disapproval of
neonaticide
·
There was tacit acceptance of neonaticide in
society
·
The legal measures to stop neonaticide were for
show
14.
Read the account of the foundling hospitals.
These institutions were successful/ unsuccessful in fulfilling their mission
because….
15.
The only development that finally curbed
infanticide was….
16.
Current public attitude to the real story of
infanticide throughout history is one of acceptance/ approval/ disbelief/ fury/
scorn. The reason is that many in the modern world firmly believe that…
17.
Read the account of child sacrifice in South
America and Carthage. The major difference between the practice in this part of
the world and elsewhere is that….
18.
The above practice seems justifiable if we
consider that…
19.
We understand from the account of current
circumstances that infanticide is rife/ there is more infanticide than meets
the eye/ infanticide is still being widely practiced / infanticide is
thankfully very rare.
20.
The case of Senegal proves that ….
WRITING TASK
Use all you have learnt to write an essay discussing the
reasons for infanticide.
INFANTICIDE KEY AND
TEACHERS’ NOTES
This shocking yet
gripping text should be engrossing enough for students to stick with the task
at hand. It is also a very illuminating text on a taboo subject and as such
should lead to some lively discussion and a good writing task. Listening to the
text being read out should be useful.
1.
That the life of a child is sacred
2.
The perceived innocence of children was more
likely to make them seem like ideal sacrifices to a blood thirsty god
3.
The predilection for murdering children shortly
after they are born is hardwired in the human brain.
4.
That animals kept in confinement can kill even
devour their offspring
5.
In evolutionary terms some infants are
disposable
6.
The Norway rat
7.
Practical reasons
8.
It supports it
9.
That it was a callous crime ; or She was a
sociopath
10.
Baptism;
brought to the attention of the community
11.
Exposure; it allowed parents the consolation
that they had not murdered their babies and let them fantasize that their child
might be saved and adopted
12.
As little violence as possible
13.
The second
14.
Unsuccessful; most of the foundlings died
15.
The popularization of condoms
16.
Some ultimate taboo is being broken
17.
The victims were unblemished and of unusual
beauty
18.
One child is sacrificed so that the family may
thrive
19.
There is more infanticide than meets the eye
20.
Infanticide could make a larger comeback
