1984/02/01 by John Boswell · 4 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse #Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
paper · doi:10.2307/1855916
openalex publication_date 1984/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/05
An examination of the ancient and medieval European practice of abandoning unwanted children is presented. In view of the paucity of primary data the evidence for this practice is taken from a variety of sources. Distinctions are made among the various forms of abandonment including exposure in a public place (expositio) and offering the infant to a religious institution (oblatio). Reasons for and the consequences of child abandonment are considered. (ANNOTATION)