Amelia Dyer Research Paper

At first sight, no one would guess that these immensely terrible crimes could be committed by such a charming, warm-hearted frail woman. So how did Amelia Dyer become the most notorious serial killer in England? Some people theories are that serial killers nurtured into their evil tendencies through traumatic events that have occurred in their lives.Others argue that serial killer are just born with these evil tendencies without any actual motive to kill. Amelia Dyer, a murderous baby farmer, had both of these theories within her character. After convicted of her crimes, Amelia Dyer was known as a monstrous, deranged and mentally unstable woman murderer all throughout England. Yet her crimes were a direct result of her past experiences growing

There was great social pressure during this time for young single women to be married. It was considered social taboo for women not to get married. At this time Amelia was only 24. They had both lied to one another George being 11 years older then said to be and Amelia being 6 years younger than she had said to be. During this time is also when Amelia trained as a nurse. Due to the empecable death rate and diseases throughout England nursing was a grueling job. Although it was seen as a respectable occupation, and it allowed her to learn useful skills. While working as a nurse Amelia met midwife, Ellen Dane, who taught her about baby farming. Baby farming, an easier way to earn a living, in which she could use her own home to “provide lodgings for young women who had conceived illegitimately and then farming off the babies for adoption.” The mothers would hand in their babies over to the individuals that acted as adoption or fostering agents along with 10-15 pounds. It was very easy to earn a living this way due to the overwhelming amount of pregnancies throughout this time of hardship and social pressure. It was extremely taboo and frowned upon to have baby out of wedlock. Along with that the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act removed all financial obligation from the fathers of children born out of wedlock made it hard for unmarried mothers to find an income to help support herself and the child. Further more there was no legal abortions being practiced, condoms, or birth control. The disadvantage to baby farming was the fact that you had to actually take care and raise the babies. Without multiple assistants this would be hard for one women to do alone with more than one or two children and raising them would expensive. Instead of raising the babies Amelia would murder them right after they were dropped off, thus being able to pocket most of the entire fee the mothers had to pay. After