Introduction
Ancient societies, in an effort to strengthen their populations, sometimes resorted to the practice of abandoning certain children. This practice was widespread throughout the ancient world and can be seen in many cultures, such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese. One of the most common reasons for abandoning children was to ensure the survival of the family.
The Reasons for Abandoning Children in Ancient Civilizations
Ancient societies were largely agrarian, with limited resources. Families often had to choose which children would be able to receive the resources necessary to survive. In some cases, this meant that the family would abandon their weakest and youngest children in the hopes that they would be able to find resources elsewhere (Gosselin, 2019). In other cases, abandoning certain children was a form of population control.
In ancient Greece, it was not uncommon for families to discard or leave behind children who had any health or physical issues. This action was taken not only to stop the transmission of illness but also to guarantee that the populace was in optimum condition (Gosselin, 2019). In some cases, these abandoned children were taken in by other families or sent to orphanages.
Furthermore, ancient societies also resorted to abandoning children for religious reasons. Some cultures believed that sacrificing a child could appease their gods and bring good fortune to the family. In some cases, these children were abandoned in places of worship or in areas where they were likely to be found by priests or religious leaders.
Lastly, some societies abandon children as a form of punishment (Gosselin, 2019). In ancient China, it was quite typical for families to abandon their children if they had committed an offense or refused to obey their parents. The hope was that by abandoning these children, parents could teach their children a lesson and stop them from engaging in comparable offenses in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ancient societies often resorted to the practice of abandoning certain children in order to strengthen their population. These practices were seen in many cultures and were motivated by a variety of factors, such as ensuring the family’s survival, controlling the population, appeasing the gods, and punishing disobedient children. While this practice may seem barbaric today, it was a common and accepted practice in the ancient world.
Reference
Gosselin, D. K. (2019). Family and intimate partner violence: Heavy hands. Pearson.