A case study on : an investigation into factors that influence the working class girl-child to commit infanticide

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to obtain information on the circumstances surrounding the lives of young mothers who resort to killing their babies, and what could be done to address the problem of infanticide. An exploratory multiple-case study design was implemented using the qualitative approach. These types of approach were to explore the same phenomenon of infanticide in a diversity of situations and with a number of subjects. The focus was on determining the dynamics of why the subjects of the investigation think or behave in a particular manner; on getting an insight in the circumstances, structures and institutions in society that contribute to infanticide. A systematic inquiry was implemented so as to get an understanding of human beings and the nature of their interactions with themselves and their surroundings. The subjects were drawn from the police cases since the independence of the Republic of Namibia. A non-probability sampling was done on a spur-of-the moment basis to take advantage of available respondents. Data was derived from questionnaires, interviews and observations of 7 girl-children. Three were from the Windhoek prison and four were from the community. The following were identified: Ignorance about their sexuality let to unwanted and/or unplanned pregnancy. Economic dependence put the girls at the receiving end. This led to a situation in which they have to pay in kind leading to unwanted and/or unplanned pregnancies .. It was also observed that support systems to help the girl-children to overcome these obstacles of knowing their reproductive system and to empower them financially to exist in the community are lacking.

Much still needs to be done to make the girl-child a valued member of society. Such factors as education, access to reproductive health service and lawmaking need to be modified to advantage the girl-child.