If, as author Toni Morrison believes, we tell stories about what we find most terrifying, then our cultural narratives suggest an overwhelming preoccupation with the murderous mother ??? the monster in our minds. This dissertation examines some of the most powerful and enduring stories told about the murderous mother and considers how these stories are shaped by the unconscious fears and fantasies that dominate the cultural psyche. Revolving around the idea of infanticide as an ???imaginary??? crime, this dissertation uncovers the psychoanalytic foundations of the obsessive telling and consumption of stories of maternal child-murder in Western culture and contends that infanticide narratives can be read as symptoms of psychocultural dis(-)ease. Underlying all stories about the murderous mother is an unconscious fear of infanticide and fantasy of maternal destructiveness that is repressed in the individual psyche. These fears and fantasies are expressed in our cultural narratives. Chapter 1 examines fairytales as the literary form that most clearly elaborates individual fears and psychic conflict and locates the phantasmic murderous mother within psychoanalytic narratives of individuation. Chapter 2 shows how individual fears and fantasies of maternal monstrosity are transferred to society and revealed in the myths through which our culture is transmitted. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the particular neuroses of ancient Greek society and early modern culture and consider stories of the murderous mother that most powerfully reflect anxieties of maternal origin and fantasies of maternal power. Chapters 5 and 6 shift to a contemporary setting and consider stories that reveal, in differing ways, how the murderous mother haunts the cultural psyche. Examining a variety of texts and drawing material from a spectrum of disciplines, including law, literature, criminology, theology, philosophy, and medicine, this dissertation concludes that it is only by exposing the underpinnings of our cultural stories about the murderous mother that we can hope to break free from the unconscious attitudes that imprison us. Emerging from this study is an original and important theoretical framework concerning conceptualisations of infanticide, the ways in which we imagine maternal child-murder and the limits of that imagination, and how we might escape the murderous maternal monster buried deep in the labyrinths of the mind.

The thesis explores the connections between nineteenth century imperial anthropology, racial ‘science’, and the imposition of colonising governance on the Aborigines of Port Phillip/Victoria between 1835 and 1888. It explores the way that particular, albeit contested, images of Aborigines ‘became legislative’. It surveys the declining influence of liberal and Evangelical ‘philanthropy’ at the end of the 1830s, the pragmatic moral slippages that transformed humanitarian gestures into colonial terror, and the part played by the Australians in the emergence of the concept of race as the chief vector of colonial power. (For complete abstract open document)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Full text release at OhioLINK's ETD Center delayed at author's request

Thesis (LL. M.)--York University, 2002. Graduate Programme in Law. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-199). Also available on the Internet.

Orientador: João Bosco Penna / Banca: Marcio Henrique Pereira Ponzilacqua / Banca: Paulo César Corrêa Borges / Resumo: O trabalho utiliza como fundamento a vertente crítica da Bioética, desenvolvida a partir de constatações no que diz respeito à insuficiência da Bioética principalista, que não consegue solucionar os conflitos existentes e persistentes no contexto social de países com grandes níveis de desigualdades, pois pressupõe um sujeito livre de qualquer tipo de opressão. Assim, ao considerar somente algumas vozes e interesses, deixa à margem da pauta de discussões indivíduos e grupos tradicionalmente oprimidos e vulneráveis. Na verdade, a vulnerabilização de parcelas da sociedade não ocorreu por questões fisiológicas, mas sim por questões sociais. Por tais razões, parte-se da premissa de que não há lugar para a neutralidade. Logo, a interação efetiva do feminismo possibilitou que situações e abordagens tradicionalmente silenciadas fossem integradas à agenda bioética. A abordagem crítica diferencia situações emergentes - tais como clonagem, diagnóstico genético e transplantes - de situações persistentes - tais como a pobreza, a desigualdade de gênero e a concentração de poder. Com efeito, vale dizer que tal vertente crítica, ao superar o mito da neutralidade, escolhe ficar ao lado dos historicamente discriminados. Indubitavelmente, a diferença é um valor moral extremamente importante que merece e deve ser preservado. Todavia, afirmar que homens e mulheres são diferentes, não é o mesmo que dizer que a socialização feminina deva ser pautada pela dominação masculina. Assim, constata-se que o infanticídio - prática muito antiga na história humana - é ocasionado por inúmeros fatores: nascimento com anomalias inaceitáveis, sacrifícios em rituais religiosos, opressão de gênero e raça, desigualdades sociais, controle de natalidade, preservação da honra, ausência de condições financeiras, dentre outros. Logo não é possível tratar do infanticídio... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The work uses as its foundation the critical stage of Bioethics, developed from the findings regarding the inadequacy of Bioethics theprinciplist, which can not solve the existing conflicts and persistent in the social context of countries with high levels of inequality, because it involved a subject free from any kind of oppression. Thus, when considering only a few voices and interests, makes the margin of the agenda of discussions individuals and groups traditionally oppressed and vulnerable. Indeed, the increasing vulnerability of segments of society did not occur for physiological, but by social issues. For these reasons, it starts with the premise that there is no place for neutrality. Thus, the effective interaction of feminism made it possible situations and approaches traditionally silenced were integrated into the bioethics agenda. The critical approach differentiates emergent situations - such as cloning, genetic diagnosis and transplantation - persistent situations - such as poverty, gender inequality and the concentration of power. Indeed, that is such a critical stance, to overcome the myth of neutrality, choose to stay alongside the historically discriminated against. Undoubtedly, the difference is a very important moral value that deserves to be preserved. However, to assert that men and women are different, is not to say that female socialization should be guided by male domination. Thus, it appears that infanticide - very ancient practice in human history - is caused by several factors: birth defects with unacceptable sacrifices in religious rituals, gender and racial oppression, social inequalities, birth control, preservation of honor, no financial conditions, among others. It is hardly possible to treat infanticide without focusing gender inequality, vulnerability, poverty, finally, critical perspectives on society and the morals. Thus, attempts to analyze... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A partir do atendimento de um caso de tentativa de infanticídio, buscou-se discutir algumas das condições para a construção da função materna. Entre as possíveis formas de se abordar um caso em pesquisa, optou-se pela construção de caso, privilegiando um olhar que parte da clínica, na qual entendemos fundar-se a descoberta psicanalítica em sua vocação de retroalimentar a teoria. Foram privilegiados três eixos: a experiência corporal, o lugar do sujeito e o laço social. Para tal, trabalharam-se estes aspectos: o percurso histórico antecedente ao que se entende hoje por maternidade, incluindo-se a psicanálise no seu início, os diferentes discursos sobre o corpo que desembocam no discurso médico, conforme proposto por Clavreul, e as questões do laço social na constituição da função materna, a partir do conceito de contrato narcisista de Piera Aulagnier. Dessa forma, pôde-se apontar como a função materna é atravessada pela lógica dessubjetivante da contemporaneidade e, ao mesmo tempo, reafirma-se a escuta do sujeito como condição para a superação dos impasses da atualidade / From the discussion of a case of attempted infanticide, we tried to discuss some of the conditions for the construction of the maternal role. Among the possible ways to approach a case in research, we chose to build a case, favoring a look that starts from the clinic, in which we understand is the base of the psychoanalytic discovery in its vocation to provide feedback for theory. Three main aspects were privileged: a bodily experience, the place of the subject and the social bond. To this end, these aspects have been worked up: the historical background antecedent to what is meant by motherhood today, including psychoanalysis in its early stages, the different discourses on the body leading into the medical discourse as proposed by Clavreul, and issues of the social bond in the constitution of the maternal role, from the concept of narcissistic contract of Piera Aulagnier. Thus, one could point out how the maternal role is crossed by the deconstructive logic of the subjective of contemporaneity and at the same time reaffirming the listening to the subject as a condition for overcoming the impasses of the present

Tipificado de forma autônoma pela nossa legislação, o delito de infanticídio, previsto no artigo 123 do Código Penal, trata da conduta da mãe que tira a vida do próprio filho durante ou logo após o parto. Historicamente cercado de dúvidas e pontos de conflito, a conduta infanticida passou por extremos, indo da punição absolutamente desumana à total benevolência para com o violador da norma. Analisada a figura típica do infanticídio, percebe-se uma modalidade especial do crime de homicídio que o legislador preferiu apenar mais brandamente. Em um primeiro momento, foi levado em consideração para justificar tal abrandamento o critério psicológico, baseado na honra da mãe. Posteriormente, tal critério foi substituído pelo fisiopsicológico, onde o estado puerperal passou a ser a elementar do tipo. Em conjunto com o estado puerperal, o lapso temporal em que a conduta deve ser praticada, durante ou logo após o parto, fazem do infanticídio um dos delitos que mais geram dúvidas dentro no ordenamento jurídico vigente. Considerada a genitora sujeito ativo do delito, o estado puerperal como elementar do tipo suscita questionamentos a respeito da prática do crime em concurso de agentes. Igualmente, a não previsão da modalidade culposa ao tipo caracteriza uma lacuna geradora de conflitos doutrinários em caso da morte do nascente ou neonato por imprudência ou negligência da mãe. Juntamente com toda problemática que o tipo apresenta, o julgamento do delito pelo Tribunal do Júri, com as alterações legislativas recentemente sofridas por esse instituto, faz com que o infanticídio seja, mais uma vez, objeto de dúvidas com relação ao modo como a quesitação deve ser apresentada. Útil ao estudo do tema, uma análise do crime, frente às legislações dos demais países da América Latina e alguns países da Europa, darão um quadro geral de como o delito é tratado fora de nossas fronteiras. Por fim, espera-se contribuir para que se forme uma opinião sobre a necessidade ou não da manutenção do tipo, de forma autônoma, em nosso ordenamento jurídico. / Typified autonomously by our legislation, the crime of infanticide under the article 123 of the Penal Code, deals with the behaviour of the mother who takes the life of her own son during the child-birth or soon after it. Historically surrounded by doubts and conflicts, the infanticidal conduct has gone through extremes, from totally unhumane punishment to total benevolence for the violator of the law. After analyzing the typical figure of infanticide, we can notice a special genre of homicide that the legislator chose to punish more softly. At first it was considered the psychological criterion to justify such mitigation, based on the mothers honour. After that, such criterion was replaced by the physiopsychological, where the puerperal state became the base of the type. Together with the puerperal state, the time lag in which the conduct must be practised, during the child-birth or soon after that, turns the infanticide into one of the crimes that most generates doubts inside the actual legal system. As the genitor is considered the active subject of the crime, the puerperal state as the base of the type evokes questioning about the practice of the crime in competition of agents. In the same way, the non prevision of the fault mode to the type caracterizes a gap generator of doctrinaire conflicts in case of the death of the new born because of the mothers imprudence or neglection. Together with all the set of problems that the type introduces, the judgement of the delict by the Court of Justice, with the recent legislative changes occurred in this institute, turns the infanticide, once more, the object of doubts in respect to the way the inquiry is presented. Useful for the study of the subject, the analysis of the crime facing the legislation of the other Latin American countries and some European countries will show a general view of how the delict is dealt with outside our borders. Finally, it is expected to contribute in order to form an opinion about the necessity or no necessity of the maintenance of the type autonomously in our legal system.

Yongjue Yuanxian (1578-1657) was a Confucian scholar, an eminent 17th-century Buddhist Master, and a prolific writer who re-established the reputation of the Caodong Buddhism. This study investigates Yuanxian's life and his works: the Shou ta ming (Inscription of the Longevity Stupa), the Yiyan (Nonsense Uttered in Dreams), the Jie ni nü (To Refrain from Drowning Female Infants), and the Jianzhou hongshi lu (Record of Propagating Buddhism in Jianzhou). This research unfolds Yuanxian's Confucian and Buddhist backgrounds as well as his impact through his writings on both the mundane and super-mundane worlds. The Shou ta ming gives us clues regarding Yuanxian's natural inclination and life. The study of Yiyan investigates Yuanxian's philosophy, his position towards the harmonizing the Three Teachings, and his approach towards the challenges of 17th-century Chan Buddhism. The Jie ni nü provides us with Yuanxian's engagement in Fujian society, the social phenomena among the commoners, and their unconventional Buddhist concepts. His Jianzhou hongshi lu reveals eminent local Chan and Confucian masters, how the Chan teachings enhanced the Confucian scholars' demeanor, and the influence of the Chan masters of the Jianzhou area that extended well beyond that local region. Yuanxian devoted his literary talents as a reviver and fearless defender to uphold the supremacy of Buddhism. He vigorously pointed out the deficiencies of Confucianism and Daoism and expressed distinctive insight towards the popular trend of the Three Teachings syncretism. His life manifested the ideal of actualizing the functions of the super-mundane world while engaging simultaneously in society.

Cette thèse a cherché à évaluer et à comprendre les répercussions des maltraitances physiques et psychiques sur le développement des enfants qui en sont victimes. Il s’agit ici de repérer l’influence des représentations de la mère concernant l’enfant qui ont conduit aux actes maltraitants. Le but de l’étude était de repérer la place de l’enfant dans les enjeux psychiques maternels avec l’hypothèse de la mise en acte d’un fantasme d’infanticide à l’œuvre. Dans une approche culturelle, il a été question d’élargir la notion de maltraitance au-delà des syndromes communs notamment les enfants singuliers. L’étude a visé à comprendre les modalités d’expression de l’enfant de moins de 3 ans à travers les comportements d’externalisation et d’internalisation. 15 enfants de 6 mois à 3 ans et leur mère ont été recrutés. Différentes méthodes ont été utilisées, l’échelle de Brunet-Lézine-Révisé et la Malette Projective Petite Enfance, l’observation et l’entretien clinique à visée de recherche. Les résultats ont fait ressortir la mise en acte de fantasme chez les 12 mères sous différentes formes à travers le vécu de la grossesse, de l’accouchement, du maternage etc. et les effets des maltraitances qui entravent le développement de ces enfants. / The goal of this research is to evaluate and understand the repercussions of physical and psychological abuse on the development of children who are victims. The focal point is to identify the mental appraisal the mother has of the child and how it inherently drives her to mistreat the child. The aim of the study was to ascertain the child’s place in the mother’s mental thoughts with the assumption of the portrayal of an infanticide fantasy at work. Culturally, it was pertinent to broaden the notion of abuse way beyond the common syndromes especially associated with children that act bizarre. The study aimed to understand the modalities of expression of the child below the age of three through behaviors externally and internally expressed. Fifteen children from 6 months to 3 years of age and their mothers were selected for this study. Different methods were used such as, the revised version of the Brunet-Lézine scale, the "Malette projective Petite enfance " test, observation and clinical research interviews. The results highlighted the act of fantasy in the 12 mothers in different forms. Right from the experience of pregnancy, to childbirth, to nursing the child, etc. and the effects of abuse that hinder the development of these children.

Due to an extreme asymmetry in parental investment, raising the potential for sexual conflict, orangutans provide unique insights into the role of sexual conflict in male and female reproductive strategies. Sexual selection acts on reproductive strategies, selecting for strategies that increase an individual's reproductive success. Sexual conflict results when the reproductive strategies of one sex impose costs on the other. Three forms of sexual selection have been documented in orangutans—male-male competition, female choice, and sexual coercion. This dissertation asks (1) how males employ reproductive strategies to increase their likelihood of reproductive success in the face of multi-male mating by females and (2) how females employ reproductive strategies to enact female choice and increase infant survival in the face of male-male competition and sexual coercion. I investigate these two questions using genetic paternity, long-term association data, and a year of behavioral data from orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Brown-modified Hinde Indices, initiation and termination of associations, and following data reveal that female participation is necessary to sustain longer male-female associations and females use facultative associations to employ mate choice. Genetic paternity determination found low reproductive skew, with flanged males siring more offspring than unflanged males. Investigation of female infanticide avoidance strategies showed that females with dependent offspring under age six associate with males less often than other categories of females do, and mothers decrease the distance with their offspring during associations with males. These results highlight the importance of both female choice and male-male competition in reproductive outcomes, and illustrate how facultative associations play a key role in the reproductive strategies of both male and female orangutans. Both sexes’ strategies are studied, demonstrating the dynamic co-evolution of strategies and counterstrategies. I also consider the implications of these findings for the evolution of male bimaturism. Examining orangutan mating and reproductive behaviors deepens our understanding of how sexual conflict and sexual selection have shaped their unusual mating system and broadens our understanding of sexual conflict in reproductive strategies in a species with an extreme disparity between maternal and paternal investment. / 2025-08-31T00:00:00Z