Durkheim's Sociological Study of Suicide - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... He (Emile Durkheim) distinguished between anomic suicide, altruistic suicide, egoistic suicide, and fatalistic suicide. According to Durkheim, fatalistic and altruistic suicides are less popular and important in his study. He observed egoistic suicide as a result of the weakening of familial and social attachments. Disappointment and dissatisfaction were the main cause of anomic suicide. According to Emile Durkheim study, modernization and urbanization are the core factors responsible for increased suicide among society members (Hughes, Sharrock, & Martin 2003, p.54). Modernization and civilization lead to elimination of social cohesion hence increasing the suicide rate in human sphere. To counter the problem of urbanization and modernization, Durkheim emphasized on the need for social integration as a defensive tactic against increased suicide level (Hughes, Sharrock, & Martin 2003, p.55). As per Durkheim’s observation, egoism and anomie suicide are as a results of crumple in traditional constraints (Hughes, Sharrock, & Martin 2003, p.55). In this regards, suicide cases can be used to measure the level of social pathology in a society. The self constraint is measured through the analysis of the rate of egoistic suicide in a society. On the other hand, the rate of anomie suicide is appropriate in measuring estrangement in a society. According to Durkheim, altruistic suicide revealed collectively certified self sacrifice. Although there are theoretical sense which justifies altruistic suicide, Durkheim never accounted them as suicides. In relation to fatalistic suicide, Durkheim disputed them on the ground of lack of contemporary significance. According to Hughes, Sharrock, & Martin (2003, p.55) Durkheim description and typology of suicide affirmed his claims that the collapse of traditional social arrangement was the basis of raise in suicidal cases. He related the low suicide rate among women with their greater social interaction nature. According to him (Durkheim), women interact frequently and share their frustration with other society members. Frequent sharing of ideas reduces stress in women hence limiting their chances of committing suicide. On the other hand, men are more prone to committing suicide due to their inward looking nature. They keep their disparity within themselves thus saturating their frustrations and disappointed. Saturated frustrations, dissatisfactions, and disappointments lead to depression which results to increased chances of committing suicide. In his study, Durkheim did not value women suicide by itself as a class for efficient analysis. He underreported scenarios of women completed suicide (Hughes, Sharrock, & Martin 2003, p.57). As observed by Craib (1997, p.210) Durkheim asserted that, increased suicide among society members was as a result of social disintegration. This is specifically the case among women in the society. Due to their role and responsibility in the society, women were more resistant to suicide than men. Durkheim claim on immunity was based on his supposition on the socially disintegrative consequence of civilization and urbanization. He never relied on his data in defending his position on women immunity to suicide. According to Durkheim, civilization plays a very significant role in escalating mental problem among society members. Urban dwellers are more prone to insanity as compared to the countryside residents. On the other han ...Download file to see next pagesRead More