Suicide as a Sociological Issue

1. Applying the Theoretical Perspectives

• Functionalist:• Several different ways they look at the issue• An emphasis on the importance of shared

moral values and strong social bonds in society

• When rapid change occurs such as a shift in moral values, people may be uncertain about how to act and suicide rates increase

• Emile Durkheim argued that suicide rates are a reflection of the degree of social solidarity in society

• Social Solidarity-• The state of having shared beliefs

and values among members of a social group, along with intense and frequent interaction among groups

• Suicide is more likely when society is either very strong or very weak

• Durkheim’s study identified 4 categories

Conflict Perspective

• Looks at different pressures in society and how they might impact the incidence of suicides

• Social class:• Pressure on youth to achieve high levels of

economic success• They see a limited future because of low

educational and employment opportunities• Low income or working class youth may be

more at risk for suicide

• Race:• Racial oppression may explain the

high incidence of suicide in some minority groups

• Ex. Aboriginal communities• Focuses on the social inequality and

racial discrimination on suicidal behaviour

Feminist Perspective

• Look at why more women than men attempt suicide when they are young and sociologically disadvantaged

• Emphasizes the need to look at social—structural pressures that are brought to bear on women and how they contribute to their behaviour

• Ex. Cultural assumptions (multiple roles)

• Unequal educational and employment opportunities that can lead to feelings of powerlessness and alienation

• High rates of suicide a reflection of their sense of powerlessness in a male dominated society

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

• Focuses on micro-level analysis of a person’s face-to-face interactions with others and the roles that people play in society

• Focuses on the various meanings that are attributed to the act of suicide

• Variation in different cultures regarding the meaning of suicide

• ex. Japan- tolerant attitude, tradition

Postmodern Perspective

• Asks if technologies such as computers/internet bind people together or create a world where people are only loosely involved-do they isolate or unite people?

• High tech/info fast paced, forces us to create our own way (coherent narrative order) to understand ourselves and social events happening around us

• Ex. Heaven’s Gate mass suicide 1997• media called these people a

‘computer cult’• Individuals and the media

establishing fake realities and pseudo-explanations in the absence of ‘real’ knowledge about events or their causes

Marshall Applewhiteand the cult’s logo

2. Aboriginal Suicide Report

• 1. Considered one of the most urgent problems facing aboriginal people in Canada

• Statistics don’t accurately reflect the true rate of suicides

• Not all reported deaths are reported as suicides

• Rates are 3 x higher than for other groups in Canada

• Rates are 5-6 x higher for youth aged 10-19yrs

2. Risk Factors

• Psycho-biological: ex. Unresolved grief

• Situational: ex. Disruption of family life, increased use of alcohol and drugs, damage from solvent abuse

• Socio-economic: ex. High rates of poverty, low level education, limited employment, inadequate housing, deficiencies in sanitation and water

• Culture Stress: ex. Loss of confidence in the ways of understanding life and living that have been taught within a particular culture

• Change comes to the culture (way of life)• Ex. Loss of control over land, supression of

belief systems and spirituality, weakening of social and political institutions, racial discrimination

3. Barriers to Change

• Community leaders are often more interested in economic development and self-government than in social problems

• Events and risk factors associated with suicide often create shame and secrecy

• Adults fail to act as role models for the young

• Conflicts and rivalries in communities prevent action

4. Recommendations from the Commission

• Solutions should be community based• Need for direct suicide crisis services• Need for provision of resources for

broad prevention action through community development

• Building of support for self-determination, self-sufficiency, healing and reconciliation

Based on 7 Elements:

• Cultural and spiritual revitalization• Strengthened family and community

bonds• Focus on children and youth• Holism• Whole community involvement• Partnership• Community control

3. Japanese Internet Suicide Clubs

• 1. Appealing because?

• you don’t have to go through it alone

• Not so scary when you are with others

• 2. Popularity?

• A part of the culture: ex. samurai, kamikaze fighter pilots in WWII

• No religious or legal prohibition against self-killing

• 3. Helpful?• Can talk about their problems• Can relate to others• A safe place to open up about subjects you don’t

usually talk about in real life• 4. Theoretical Perspective?• Symbolic Interaction: shared meaning of suicide

in the culture• Postmodern: role of internet in bringing them

together, creating a fake reality?

• For 5-7 make sure you give a clear statement of opinion and support it well

• Ex.• 6. Yes, I think these clubs are probably unique

to Japan. It is more acceptable there because of their culture, with no religious or legal prohibitions and a history of it being an honourable way to die. But, other countries could be similar and develop these clubs too.

Anti-suicide Subway Barriers

Robert Latimer (mercy killing)

• 1. Legal questions raised by the case:

• Should courts abide by the letter of the law or the spirit of the law?

• Would a lenient sentence for him legalize euthanasia?

• Would it put the disabled at risk?• Would it mean the end of mandatory

minimum sentences for convicted persons?

• 2. Response of legal system:• Charged and convicted on second

degree murder• Several appeals later his conviction

and sentence to minimum of 10 years before parole are upheld

• 3. Other ethical or legal issues:• Do we need a special law to cover this

type of ‘compassionate homicide’?• Who has the right to make decisions for

a severely disabled child? The parent? A special government committee?

• Other• 4. Personal reflection

Robert and Tracy Latimer

Sue Rodriguez (assisted suicide)

• 1. The legal question:• Does the law against assisted suicide

violate a persons rights?• 2. Response of legal system:• Supreme court denied her case and

rejected her argument saying ‘society’s obligation to preserve life and protect the vulnerable outweighed her rights’

• 3. Other ethical or legal issues:• Sue: Whose body is this? Who owns my life?• Others: • Is causing one’s own demise the same as refusing

life-saving treatment?• Should individuals be able to control the time and

circumstances of their own death?• Would this type of law put vulnerable people at risk?• Would it have a negative impact on providing

palliative care or looking for other cures/treatments?• 4. personal reflection

Sue Roriguez

Evelyn Martens and The Right to Die Society

• 1. Who is Evelyn Martens and what was she charged with?

• 2. Why wasn’t she convicted?• 3. What is Tyhurst calling for? Why?• 4. In light of this case, do you think the

Canadian government needs to take a look at the idea of allowing a regulated version of assisted suicide?

• What regulations could be put in place to protect more vulnerable people in society?

Evelyn Martens and The Right to Die Society

• 1. Evelyn Martens is an elderly great-grandmother from BC. She was charged with assisting in the suicide death s of two women.

• 2. She wasn’t convicted because they could not prove she had actively assisted in their deaths, despite proving that she was there at the time of the deaths.

• 3. Tyhurst is calling for a national forum on suicide.

• Claims it is an important issue to Canadians and a committee should be set up to consult Canadians.

• Also they should look at possible regulations that could be put in place.

• 4. personal reflection

Evelyn Martens