Suicide and Society

Paper Summary:

Suicide, as the most extreme expression of grief and anxiety and individual turmoil, is also an expression of despair and a cry for assistance. The sociology of death and suicide is largely concerned with the examination and exploration of the phenomena of suicide within a specific social context. This paper explains that the assumption that suicide is linked to the disparity between the individual and society is also an implied comment and critique of that society. Given this understanding this paper elucidates the meaning of suicide as a break in the ties between the individual and society. This study also deals with critiques of modern industrialized societies as the context of contemporary suicide - especially with examples from relatively newly industrialized counties such as Japan.

Outline
Introduction
Suicide and Loss Of Identity: Anomie
Dysfunctional Society
Japan as an Example
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"The idea that suicide results from or is caused by a dislocation between the ties that should exist between an individual and his or her society implies that suicide must be understood as being more than a personal or psychological issue. This view of suicide is essentially sociological in nature. Furthermore, a critical analysis of this understanding of suicide also requires that the type and context of society must be taken into account. A society that is cohesive and supportive, with networks to deal with personal and social issues, is likely to have a very low suicide rate. Suicide in this social context would usually be more of a psychological than a social issue."

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