I have been flipping through the Chinese Civilization: Sourcebook and there are several very interesting sources. I enjoyed the selection “Infant Protection Society” written by You Zhi (pgs. 313-317). The author discusses the deep rooted custom of infanticide both among the wealthy and poor. He didn’t explore the rationale for the practice among the rich. However, Zhi thoroughly explained the motives among the poor for killing their children. He offers his work as a model for other provinces to use to create their own Infant Protection Society. But, how prevalent were these societies during the Song and Qing dynasties? How did the government, if at all, work toward eradicating the practice of infanticide? The author describes how the society helps poor families with generous doles of cash, medical assistance, and rice. He demonstrates that families practice infanticide to due economic hardship. It is unfortunately that at the end of discussion, Zhi calls the poor families in this situation as “ignorant of reason.” It reveals a bit of prejudice and frustration on his part.
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