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Understanding the Acts of Moms: From Susan Smith to the Prom Mom

Melvin Blair

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Motherhood is often romanticized as a beautiful and fulfilling experience, but the reality is that it can also be incredibly challenging and stressful. Sometimes, these challenges push mothers to their breaking point, and they commit acts that seem incomprehensible. In her book, "Understanding the Acts of Moms," Dr. Sarah Wayland explores the motivations and psychology behind these tragic events.

Wayland interviewed dozens of mothers who had committed crimes, including infanticide, murder, and child abuse. She found that these women were often victims of abuse themselves, and that they had a history of mental illness or substance abuse. They were also more likely to live in poverty and to have limited social support.

Mothers Who Kill Their Children: Understanding the Acts of Moms from Susan Smith to the "Prom Mom"

by Cheryl L. Meyer

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1154 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	225 pages

While Wayland's book does not excuse the crimes that these women committed, it does provide a deeper understanding of the factors that led to them. She argues that we need to be more compassionate towards mothers who are struggling, and that we need to provide them with the support they need to cope with the challenges of motherhood.

The Case of Susan Smith

One of the most infamous cases of maternal filicide is the case of Susan Smith. In 1994, Smith drowned her two young sons in a lake in South Carolina. She initially claimed that they had been abducted, but she later confessed to their murders.

Wayland's research suggests that Smith was motivated by a number of factors, including depression, anxiety, and a desire to escape her unhappy marriage. She was also heavily in debt and had recently lost her job.

After her arrest, Smith was diagnosed with bFree Downloadline personality disFree Download and post-traumatic stress disFree Download. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Case of the Prom Mom

Another high-profile case of maternal filicide is the case of the Prom Mom. In 1993, Elizabeth Morgan killed her six-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Evans, by stabbing her to death. Morgan was a high school senior who was pregnant at the time.

Wayland's research suggests that Morgan was motivated by a fear that her daughter would interfere with her plans to go to prom. She was also struggling with depression and anxiety, and she had a history of self-harm.

Morgan was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

The Importance of Understanding

The cases of Susan Smith and the Prom Mom are just two examples of the many tragic cases of maternal filicide that occur each year. These cases are often heart-wrenching, and they can lead us to question our assumptions about motherhood.

However, it is important to remember that these women are not monsters. They are human beings who have made terrible mistakes. We need to be compassionate towards them, and we need to understand the factors that led to their crimes.

By understanding the acts of moms, we can hope to prevent future tragedies from occurring. We can provide support to mothers who are struggling, and we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Dr. Sarah Wayland's book, "Understanding the Acts of Moms," is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the complex and often tragic issue of maternal filicide. Wayland's research provides a deeper understanding of the factors that can lead mothers to commit these unthinkable crimes, and she argues that we need to be more compassionate towards them.

This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in understanding the complexities of motherhood and the challenges that mothers face. It is also a valuable resource for anyone who works with mothers who are struggling, or who has experienced the loss of a child due to maternal filicide.

Mothers Who Kill Their Children: Understanding the Acts of Moms from Susan Smith to the "Prom Mom"

by Cheryl L. Meyer

4 out of 5