Abstract:
South African research on women who commit crime gained momentum over the past decade, yet little is known about
their routes to criminality. This article contributes to the understanding of maternal filicide (the phenomenon of
mothers who murder their children) in the context of pathways theory by examining the lived experiences of women
who killed their children. Eight women incarcerated in Gauteng, South Africa were identified using purposive sampling.
Drawing on evidence from the in-depth personal interviews, the study uncovered four theoretical pathways to explain
maternal filicide, namely adversities during childhood and youth; lack of support and suicide ideation; problematic
and abusive intimate relationships; and strains associated with motherhood and economic deprivation. The
aetiological tenets of these pathways appear interrelated and overlaying. An unwanted child and failure to provide
medical care to a neglected or injured child were the most reported motives for filicide.
