The Concept of Kastenbaum - Death System and Culture - Research Proposal Example

This research dwells on the concept of Kastenbaum - Death System and Culture. Various literature works show that it constitutes elements like people, objects, places, time and symbols. It also contains functions like caring for the dying, warning about and predicting death, preventing death, disposing the dead and so on. The research explains that changes in aspects of the society call for adjustment in the above system. Finally, we have made suggestions on two surveys to ensure that changes done to this system are only the relevant ones. Introduction The study is about the concept of Kastenbaum - Death System and Culture. This concept explains the complex network in which death occurs. It states that the network consists of numerous elements, which are people, places, symbols, time and objects. It also states that this network contains functions, such as warning and predicting death, averting death, caring for the dying, disposing the dead, uniting groups after death, making sense of death and conveying death (Grimes 258). This is a crucial point, since it will help us understand this subject well and discover its importance for the modern society. Robert Kastenbaum first introduced the theory in 1977. Since then, several other scholars, like Ronald L. Grimes, Carla Sofka, Kathleen Gilbert, Noppe Cupit, Barbara Logue and Wayne Weiten and Dana Dunn, have written books related to this topic. Although these authors handle the same subject, each of them dealt with a certain aspect of the topic only. Grime studied the rituals related to death as per Kastenbaum argument. Sofka, Gilbert and Cupit studied Thana technology as a conduit for living, dying and grieving in contemporary society. Logue studied death control in elderly America and Weiten and Dunn studied psychology applied to modern life and adjustment to the 21st century. The studies of these scholars are crucial in understanding the complex network in which death occurs. Sofka, Gilbert, and Cupit (1) defined the death system in the same way as Kastenbaum had defined. They designed something like a network, which branches into two categories: elements and functions. Later they categorized these categories into various elements of death and various functions. Lastly, they gave examples of each element of death and examples of various functions. These two failed to recognize the changes, which might have taken place in the society and failed to relate them to this system. In my study, I have used the same idea to define Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture. I have considered what is happening in the current society and thought about what needs modification in this system. I also looked at the importance of this system and its application. The approach I have taken is studying previous literature adding my understanding of Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture. Then, I try to relate this conceptual understanding with the psychological aspect of the current society to give a necessary discussion, conclusions, and recommendations. Discussion This study is quite important since it reveals the complex network in which death occurs. Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture comprises people, places, times, objects and symbols together with functions like warning about and predicting death, preventing death, caring for the dying, disposing of the dead, consolidating groups after death, making sense of death and delivering death (Grimes 258). Dying or losing someone close is natural and inevitable, thus, people connect to the death system directly. Other people, like morgue attendants, obituary designer, and gravediggers earn their living through occurrence of death. Place is another component of Kastenbaum’s Death System. People die while being in hospitals; their bodies are preserved in morgues and later buried in cemeteries. These are some of the places found in the Death System. We also have objects, like weapons and ammunitions, which cause death. In addition to this, we have times like Memorial Day and Good Friday that are associated with death and, thus, are within the Death System. Objects in the Death System are like the casket and mourning gowns. In this system, we also have symbols, like a skull or a cross, that symbolize death. My finding is that the network in which death occurs has changed with time and has become more complex. As changes occur in our society, the ways of living change and, as a result, many things having been used to cause death can no longer be used. Technological advancement, change of norm and behaviors, change of the ways of living have resulted in emerging of some new aspects relevant to the Death System. Not to forget religious believes. These have greatly influenced the ways in which people view death, thus, helping them to cope with loss of someone. This study has several limitations. First, it lacks data that can explain our findings. It also relies on already written literature that can fail to represent accurately the current situation on the ground. In addition to this, it is difficult to consult all the literature in this area; thus, we might have overlooked some important data. Conclusion My main conclusion is that Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture needs modification to accommodate the changes that have occurred in the society. This will make the network in which death occurs more relevant and understandable. In modifying we can consider works of other scholars and their findings to make it better. In addition, undertaking a survey to show how things are in the society now is relevant. Another conclusion is that modernization has resulted in several behaviors that play a significant role in occurrence of death. Some of these behaviors, like driving while being drunk, can lead to death due to accidents. In addition, others seeking medical advice every now and then can reduce chances of death. In addition to this, certain cultures and traditions which used to lead to a possible death, like female genital mutilation and customary initiations, have reduced in most societies due to numerous anti-female genital mutilation campaigns. Furthermore, the advancement in technology’s effects and contribution to death is outstanding and can’t be denied, as a result it needs some emphasis within the context of the Death System. In addition, there has been the issue of change in the norms of the society, like legalization of abortion in some societies and so on. This contributes to occurrence of death, thus, justifying it to be included in the Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture. Another issue which should be included in Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture is the issue of natural calamities. These have claimed many lives in the recent past. Although technology has been advanced to the level of predicting them long before they happen, sometimes it is very difficult to avoid the negative consequences of them completely. The issue of love and emotions has also contributed to deaths in some ways. Several persons committed suicide due to love affairs. Others killed other people for the same reasons. The issue of religious believes has played a great part in changing the way people view death. Most religions assume that there’s life after death, which assures that although a person dies he continues his/her existence at some other level. It makes some people believe that they will still meet their lovers in another place again. This combines with other activities, like commemoration, adversary and burial events, which can console the bereaved when death has occurred. Various ways, like exercising, using meditation and relaxation, expressing emotions and having a positive attitude towards death, can also help a person cope with loss of a loved one (Weiten et al. 1). The above issues have been directives to many researches on the problem. Several recommendations have been made and several other researches proposed. In my case, I suggest that in the near future, a substantial survey is necessary to determine all the causes of deaths in America. The most prominent survey should incorporate Kastenbaum’s Death Systems and Cultures. A similar survey on functions associated to death will also contribute a great deal in the whole modification process. With these two surveys, we will be able to decide without doubts the changes we need to introduce to Kastenbaum’s Death System and Culture to make it more relevant in this present times. Works Cited Grimes, Ronald L. Deeply Into the Bone: Re-Inventing Rites of Passage. California: University of California Press, 2002. Print. Sofka, Carla et al. Dying, Death and Grief in an Online World: For Counselors and Educators. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2012. Print. Weiten, W. et al. Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. California: University of California Press, 2011. Print. Read More