Social Issues: Suicide, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Social issues are often referred to as social problems. Every society has issues, which are classified problems and the more we evolve into what is considered an advanced scientific community new social issues occur. Someone has said that at every level there is a devil meaning for every segment of development new challenges emerge undermining the true impacts of our achievements as humans attempting to understand our social world and aligning the inner and outer selves of our being.

This essay examines the social problem, suicide, which has plagued our society for centuries. There have been few studies, which can provide profound evidence based analysis as to why people commit suicide and its real impact on society. In this evaluation of the problem an historical investigation regarding its scope/features within the past 30-50 years will be explored.                 Next an analysis of one major theoretical perspective that is useful in understanding suicide will be applied to data retrieved in an effort to align historical development with present trends subsequently, further analysis of how methods/strategies in addressing suicide could be improved would be highlighted. Finally, my perspective on what should be done to resolve suicide as a social problem in our society will be shared.

The scope of suicide phenomenon within the last 30-50 years.

According to research studies conducted by Catherine Davis (2012) suicide rates internationally have risen by 60% over the within the past 45 years. Precisely, she further reported that it has evolved into a situation showing a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds (Davis, 2012, p. 4). Precisely, in discussing the scope a history of suicide globally provides some startling revelations. Suicide historically was practiced in primitive society as a social protest and bravery. These suicides were committed by prominent members of the society including journalists and politicians (Maris, R 2000).

However, beginning late 20th century attitudes towards suicide began to change. People who committed suicide without approval from the state were regarded as sinners. They were buried in a place delegated for criminals. Most 21^st century religious cultures do not accept suicide as bravery neither a form of protest requiring validation. Some countries have even placed sanctions on failed suicide acts to prosecute those who attempted the act.

Despite, these measures used to discourage suicide occurrences there are still massive incidences continuing around the world daily within the past 30 -50 year period. For example, reports reveal that San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge where some 1,300 suicides are committed yearly. Also, Japan’s Aokigahara Forest is another favorite suicide location; Toronto Bloor Street Viaduct and England’s Beachy Head. Notable suicide’s happenings around the world within the past 30-50 years include Jonestown cult suicide where 918 persons drank cyanide brew and died. This was executed on the instruction of their priest Jim Jones who initiated the massive self-killing. Others included hunger strikes organized by Bobby Sands in 1981 when 10 people committed suicide (Meier & Clinard, 2008).

Research conducted by Robert E. McKeown, Steven P. Cuffe and Richard M. Schulz (2006) pertaining to ‘US Suicide Rates by Age Group, 1970–2002: An Examination of Recent Trends’ revealed that until 1998 suicide was the 10^th leading cause of death in United States of America. Even though it has been surpassed by many other health conditions in recent years, suicide remains the 10^th leading cause of death currently among people ages 10-64 and has escalated to fourth and third among 10-45 age group. Researchers explained from their study that between the years 1970 – 2002 suicides rates in America in the 45-65 age group has significantly declined (McKeown,  Cuffe &. Schulz, 2006).

They concluded based on the trends discovered that the economy and associating mental illness have been influential in the shifting suicide trends with the past 30 -50years. Older people tend to commit more suicides and these are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, depression and HIV/AIDS. Unlike in previous decades when suicide was considered bravery and asocial status quo in the past 20 -50 years   when incidences among specific age groups are investigated researchers are concerned that is had emerged into a social problem. However, with appropriate interventions researcher are profound in their conclusions that within the last 10 years suicide rates in United States of America has significantly declined in United States of America (McKeown et.al, 2006).

However, subsequent studies show where in 2000 more than one million persons died from suicide. For epidemiological assessment this suggests that internationally some 10 -20 times more persons attempted suicide. Significantly, methods or measures for preventing suicide have been ineffective over the past 30-50 years. Research shows where only two methods are capable of preventing suicide deaths and type of psychotherapy. As such, preventing suicide is still a mystery in the twenty-first century and needs much though research (Van Orden, Witte & Cukrowicz, 2010).

An analysis of one major theoretical perspective that is useful in understanding suicide

Social scientists contended that there has not been enough research on suicide to form profound assumptions of its causes; sequel and strong influential factors. This is os because there have been no theories supportive of any prepositions formed about the phenomenon. Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) was the first theorist to have attempted tom provide theoretical perspectives about suicide after conducting isolated studies relating the phenomenon to religious affiliation. Since then many others either developed or disregarded the assumptions Durkheim (1858-1917) made on the social problem.

Modern scientists have alluded suicide to an interpersonal theoretical perspective. The assumptions contained in this theory declare that most serious aspect of suicidal desire emerges from a simultaneous presence containing two interpersonal constructs. These constructs are further classified as ‘thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (and hopelessness about these states)’ (Van Orden et.al, 2010, p. 575). More importantly the theory emphasizes that the capability of engaging in suicide behavior is quite distinct from the desire itself (Van Orden et.al, 2010).

In clarifying the theory researchers explained that a very small group of persons studied possessed both desire and capability of committing suicide. Thwarted belongingness initiates a feeling of loneliness whereby the individual feels rejected to the point of abandonment. Burdensomeness if the individual is ill and dependant on relatives for support he/she thinks that an injustice is created, especially, when it is expressed by the caregiver. Hence, the notion of death is a way out of the dilemma (Van Orden et.al, 2010).

However, explicit these assumptions may be they still do not clarify suicide among extreme of age group and those presenting cultural adaptations. How would interpersonal theory account for suicide among children under 10 years old? What do they understand about thwarted belongingness to initiate suicide or the issue burdensomeness? Some children could feel rejected, but how does suicide enter the mind to be committed. Here is where the capability of committing suicide becomes argumentative. An adult had to communicate this behavior pattern to the child for it to be entertained. Consequently, social factors initiating suicide apart from the individuals own desire and feeling ought to be theorized as well.

Conclusion

An analysis of how methods/strategies in addressing suicide could be improved.

Theoretically, if the cause of an incident cannot be clearly identified obviously prevention strategies will be limited to what is known about the phenomenon. To discover more about suicide in- depth research will have to be conducted. This requires funding. Even though suicide is now becoming pandemic countries most affected are poor nations, which cannot afford research facilities. For example, a remote country in South America where the Jonestown mass suicide occurred in 1978 presently has the highest suicide rates in the world. An international agency has to fund this venture. The cry always is, ‘no money to do research.’

However, this is relative to the country, ethnic group affected and perception of stakeholders. With limited resources suicide rates in United States of America has significantly been reduced with the past 10 years in certain age groups due to suicide hot lines and awareness strategies. In poorer countries where there are no telephones alternative strategies must be developed because their rates have escalated within the past 10 years.

Personal perspectives on what should be done to resolve suicide as a social problem in our society

Research analysts have predicted that currently most suicides are caused by depression or mental illness and in developed nations economic pressures. While reporting of suicide intent  and hotlines may be effective;  measures to reduce economic crises and social disorder in the society ought to be taken. More equitable distribution of resources for basic living ought to be addressed. This includes improvement in access to quality health care in America. In less developed nations information on suicide and its prevention ought to be disseminated.

References

Davis, C. (2012). A discussion of male suicide using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus.  Retrieved  on March 28^th,  2014 from   http://dtpr.lib.athabascau.ca/action/download.php?filename=mais/700/catherinedavisProject.pdf

Maris, R. (2000). Comprehensive textbook of suicidology. New York.  Guilford Press.

McKeown, R. Cuffe, S., & Schulz, R. (2006) pertaining to ‘US Suicide Rates by Age Group, 1970–2002: An Examination of Recent Trends’ Am J Public Health, 96(10): 1744–1751

Meier, B., &  Clinard, F. (2008). Sociology of deviant behavior (14th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning

Van Orden, K. Witte, T., & Cukrowicz, K. (2010). The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Psychol Rev, 117(2); 575–600.