MATRICIDE, patricide, filicide and fratricide occur far too often in the country. Over the past week, the following incidents made the news: a teenage boy in Sabah attempted to strangle his mother with a car seat belt, while his friend stabbed her; Malacca saw a teenage mother suffocate her newborn to death; in Kuala Lumpur, police are investigating the deaths of a man and his two children, with initial findings revealing a traumatised family as the man had a violent streak; and, a 55-year-old man, a convicted drug addict, killed his paralysed 74-year-old mother in Ipoh. The dead father in Kuala Lumpur was also a drug addict, as well as unemployed. The young mother in Malacca was attempting to escape social stigma as her pregnancy had been out of wedlock. However, why the teenage boy attacked his mother has yet to be made clear. The boy, along with his friend, were found to be “clean”, or not under the influence of drugs. Sadly, all permutations of family homicide appear possible, including killing one’s own grandmother.
There seems to be an increase in the number of these tragic incidents, and it is time that the cases are compiled and carefully examined to understand the dynamics behind the taking of the life of a family member. Oftentime, the killers are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Babies have been mercilessly left to die by young, unmarried women, who have been abandoned by their boyfriends, because society’s tolerance for unmarried mothers is low. But, when a young boy finds the will to try murdering his biological mother, the prospects are terrifying. Statistics show that there is an increase in the number of young people with mental health issues in the country. Is stress afflicting the young? In the United States, cases of family homicide have been on the rise over the past two decades, with children killing their parents being the fastest-growing category. In Australia, one parent dies at the hands of his or her child each month. Usually the son, these killers are aged between 16 and 19, after which the frequency subsides. Initial findings suggest that family break-ups cause parental alienation, resulting from breakdowns in the family structure. An American article notes that there are websites with instructions on how to kill one’s own parents.
A mind obfuscated by drugs and alcohol is more vulnerable to amorality. But, would it be safe to assume that a breakdown in traditional family dynamics and values is, at least, partly responsible for the increase in family homicide cases? The modern rat race is weaving a social fabric that challenges received notions of loving and caring. Consumerism is pushing forward desires, rather than responsibility. Competition and meritocracy are confusing the belief in social justice and cooperation. While more research is needed, there must be immediate remedies based on these assumptions. The drive towards development, for example, cannot force a mother out of the home when she has a young family to nurture. When a family’s economic status forces both parents to earn salaries, a social safety net must be put in place so that mothers can be with their children 24/7.