Parricide and Violence against Parents: A Cross-Cultural View across Past and Present

Parricide and Violence Against Parents explores the historical and criminological aspects of parricide and violence against parents, providing a global overview and comparison. It examines these phenomena as historically and culturally sensitive events and offers evidence from different eras, areas, and cultures. The book argues that parental authority has been shaped by property ownership and tax-paying responsibilities, and was protected by heavy penalties and punishments. It also explores how adult children's lack of independence can lead to disputes over authority and the legitimate grounds for that authority.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The study of parricide and violence against parents takes a comprehensive historical and criminological approach, contextualizing the research within the framework of social development from the 1500s to contemporary society. It provides a global overview and comparative analysis of these phenomena.

The book delves into the examination of parricide and violence against parents as historically and culturally sensitive issues. It gathers evidence from diverse eras, regions, and cultures, employing a cross-disciplinary approach to offer a fresh and systematic understanding for the reader. Through case studies, the discussion shifts from the contemporary focus on adolescent-to-parent abuse to exploring the origins of conflicts during the lifecycles of parents and their offspring.

A historical perspective illuminates the variations in conflicts between parents and their offspring, influenced by the life stages of both victims and offenders across different periods of time. The book argues that parental authority has traditionally been defined by property ownership and tax-paying responsibilities throughout history. The enduring possession of property has led to power struggles and a reluctance to relinquish it, becoming a significant source of conflict across generations within families.

To safeguard parental authority, societies implemented various measures, including severe penalties and punishments, as well as didactic teachings aimed at instilling respect. However, children constantly challenged this authority as they transitioned into adulthood, seeking greater independence and asserting their autonomy.

The abuse of parents has often been linked to situations where adult children faced limitations in achieving the level of independence appropriate to their social standing. This led to disputes over authority and the legitimate grounds for exercising it.

By exploring these complex dynamics, the book sheds light on the multifaceted nature of parricide and violence against parents and contributes to our understanding of these phenomena within the broader context of social development.

Weight: 485g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367655488