Many years ago, I read an article about childcare practices in some country that valued boy children over girl children.

First born boys routinely got little "extras." They got their favorite food just because it was their favorite. The got taken to the doctor a bit quicker, like tonight instead waiting until morning to see how they felt. That sort of thing.

This was not article document horrifying abuse of little girls. It just documented boys, especially first-born boys, getting a little extra care and attention.

The difference could be measured in mortality. Boys, especially first-born boys, had lower death rates than girls.

I don't think there is a deep line at all between the two things. I think if there is a line between them at all, it's pretty darn fuzzy.

You are right, I should have said "big difference" instead of "deep line". I tried to focus on how meaning is conveyed while neglecting my own language. And there's a big difference between "big difference" and "deep line".

Back to the original topic, yours also serves as an example of how easily damage can be delivered through being systemic. I'm confident it's not hard to produce many cases that qualify as systemic traumatic abuse, but it's an exercise I'd rather not do today.