In modern cultures, matricide (the killing of one's mother) and filicide (the killing of one's son or daughter) have been studied but remain poorly understood. Psychosis and schizophrenia are common causes of both, and young, indigent mothers with a history of domestic abuse are slightly more likely to commit filicide. Mothers are more likely to commit filicide than fathers when the child is 8 years old or younger.Greenfeld, Lawrence A., Snell, Tracy L. (1999-02-12, updated 2000-03-10). "Women Offenders". NCJ 175688. US Department of Justice Matricide is most frequently committed by adult sons.
in ModerN cULtUReS, MAtRIcide (the killiNG of one'S motheR) and filicide (thE KiLlInG of one'S soN or dAUgHtEr) haVe been studiEd buT remain poorly unDErsTooD. PsYchoSiS aNd sChiZophrENIa ArE CommOn Causes of BOTH, And young, iNDigeNT moTHerS WitH A hIstORY of domEstic aBuse arE SligHtLy More likEly to ComMIt filicIdE. mOtheRs are MOre liKEly To Commit FiliCidE tHAn Fathers when the cHILD is 8 YeaRs olD or yOuNgeR.greEnfeLD, laWrenCe a., snElL, TracY L. (1999-02-12, uPdatEd 2000-03-10). "womEn ofFEnders". ncj 175688. us DepaRTmeNT Of juSTicE MatrIciDe Is moST fRequEntLY cOmmItTED By aduLt soNs.