: Re: How can you humanize infanticide of the evil-tainted? The world is surrounded by an alternate realm called the spirit world. Humans existed as separate physical entities, but maintain an attachment

@Annie587

Vote Up Vote Down

Be aware of snuffing disabled children

The "deformed" babies excuse is not going to win you any friends who are disabled (estimated 15% of the world's population, as high as 1-in-5 in 1st-world countries with aging populations). I never realized how pervasive this trope is until I heard this talk about zombies from a disabled person.

Consider how you describe the "visible signs" with some consideration for all the "deformity is evil" baggage that is already out there – especially since you are taking extra steps to say that "innocent babies" are slaughtered for the benefit of the population – that's not a eugenics metaphor, that's straight-up eugenics.

It's not clear from the question or comments how you are slanting this practice (justified in-world, or un-justified).

Drawing from real world situations

There are real world societies which have committed infanticide, sometimes through ideology but often out of survival/necessity (drought, famine). It's difficult to find non-polemic research since "baby-killing" is a moral extreme used to invoke an emotional impulse (revulsion, outrage).

If you choose to research real life situations, remember that in these societies there is no birth-control or social welfare. Babies "happen" about once a year, and survival of your existing children might require "cutting losses" with an infant that you know will prevent you working, or feeding the others.

This might be a way to bring readers around to the idea, acknowledging there is no other choice. It must be a very difficult decision for the parents, but they view it as protecting their other children (not just society in general, but the life-and-death of the siblings).

Dr. Xavier's School for Gifted Children

You'll still have readers wondering why the "mutants" can't just go to "Hogwarts" and be with others of their own kind where they learn to control their powers. You may need to provide an in-world explanation.

(0)

Login to post a comment!