Suicide in Relation to Durkheims Work - Essay Example

Suicide -In relation to Durkheim’s work Suicide -In relation to Durkheim’s work 0. Introduction Drawing from relevant literature, it is valid to argue that disorders in an individual’s life are likely to cause profound effects on their lives, ranging from emotional to psychological disorders. Some of these disorders lead to tragic consequences of self destruction, the most devastating, suicide. Being termed as one of the major cause of death in the world today, it is of the essence that research regarding the theme be understood, not on a scientific point of view, but on a social view point, so as to have a first hand understanding on the victims in question. Credited as the father of Sociology, Durkheim is accredited for making tangible contributions in Sociological research. His work on suicide remains to be one of the works that have changed the manner in which the theme has been understood in the society, as well altered the manner in which sociological research has been carried out in Sociology. This is to mean that Durkheim is of the opinion that suicide can be discussed on a social science point of view. Additionally, suicide can not only be discussed on a biological and psychological point of view but based on social facts. This paper shall aim at discussing the social causes of suicide, and the degree to which these facts can be ascribed or related with social issues. With the backing of arguments of other scholars who second the propositions by Durkheim, this paper shall also endeavor to assess the weight of these propositions in regard to social facts that cause suicide. The work shall also weigh the critics of the propositions by Durkheim, and whether they neutralize the facts or not. Finally, the paper shall take a stand on suicide and Durkheim. 2.0. Body 2.1. Suicide victims In the work compiled by Bryant (2003: 840), a huge percentage of persons who commit suicide are indicated to have suffered from depression. This has been linked to mood disarrays among these personalities. Due to tragic events such as death of loved ones, a lot of persons tend to suffer from depression, and ultimately suicidal attempts Bryant (2003: 840). The middle aged, whites and men are the most likely victims of suicide as evident in the work of Smith (2012: 1) who carried out his research from random interviewees. This relates to this group of persons not having the ability to act impulsively in times of predicaments in their lives. The family also plays a huge role regarding suicide rates (Sigelman & Rider, 2011: s3).This relates to marriage, family size and suicide rates. Bryant (2003: 840) adds on to argue that suicide rates are high among the divorced women, as opposed to the married women. In the event that one’s partner is at a risk of death, chances are that the left partner will engage in suicide (Bryant (2003: 840). It is therefore warranted to emphasize that marital status cannot be ignored as another causative agent of suicide in the society (Stack, 1998: 511). It is therefore warranted to argue that divorced, widowed and single persons are at higher chances of committing suicide unlike the married persons. According to Durkheim, the larger the family, the greater chances of suicide, as the responsibilities to fend for each, member is on the increase (Giddens &Griffiths, 2006: 15). Some members especially the ones that provide for the family strain a lot and end up surrendering their lives. On another viewpoint, Durkheim warns that persons who have had a psychiatric history are more likely to attempt suicide, especially ones that have had a problem of alcoholism and depression (Sigelman & Rider, 2011: s3). However, Martínez de Pisón (2006: 48) indicates that suicide varies from one culture to another. 2.2 Reasons for suicide- Durkheim’s viewpoint 2.2.1. Integration spectrum and suicide In terms of the modern society and the individual, Durkheim provides an insight on the causative agents of suicide in the society. In his work, Durkheim (1979: 180) indicates that one of the major causative agents of suicide is integration. Integration refers to the extent in which an individual is accepted as part of the society. In the event that an individual is under integrated in the society may result to their committing suicide. The same case applies to individuals who are over-integrated in the society (Durkheim, 1979: 180). In the work of Durkheim (1979: 180), this is termed as egoistic suicide. In an event that an individual attains the marriage age and does not find a partner results to their being rejected and unwanted in the society. Durkheim (1979: 180) argues that attempts to marriage counteract suicidal tendencies in unmarried males in the society. On the contrary, Durkheim (1979:165) indicates that educated persons are likely to be less integrated in the society since education is linked with class. People of high social class tend to pursue education on a higher level, and associate themselves with active intellectual life. In this case, they tend to have suicidal feelings, as education does not destroy the social ties, but is undertaken in a society that is experiencing broken social ties (Durkheim, 1979:165). This can be interpreted to mean that education is a clear indicator of weak societal bonds, and the concerned persons, in this case the educated people, are likely to experience suicidal feelings as opposed to the less educated. Secondly on integration spectrum and suicide, over-integration in the society causes suicide. This form of suicide that emanates from an individual being over integrated in the society is referred to as altruistic suicide as Durkheim states (Kivisto, 2003; 103). Durkheim (1979: 219) is of the opinion that over- integrated individuals feel that they are obligated to kill themselves; self destruction in this case neutralizes the weight of the pain they bear in the society. These individuals feel that they are obligated to destroy themselves, as the society dictates. The society terms them as unwanted persons; therefore, they also feel that they need to eliminate themselves with immediate effect from the burden and stresses of the society (Durkheim, 1979: 219). 2.2.2. Regulation In his sociological research, Durkheim argues that regulation is yet another factor that contributes to suicide in the society (Giddens & Griffiths, 2006: 15). Regulation, in this context, refers to the degree in which the individual is satisfied with their living and being in the society. This is to mean that the society controls the actions and desires of individuals in the society states (Kivisto, 2003; 98). Regulation can in extreme or sufficient in the society. This is referred to as anomic suicide. In the work of Giddens & Griffiths (2006: 15) the probability of suicide cases cannot be alienated from a discussion on regulation. The crises that erupt from an individual, whether positive or negative are ones that create low regulation levels, which in turn interrupt the normal relations of humans in the society. Giddens &Griffiths (2006: 15) indicate that it is these occurrences that cause individual disparities. To a great extent, a lot of individuals feel that they are restricted from doing certain activities; thus, their desires are well met or fulfilled. Sociologically, in a normal society, the populace needs to be given an opportunity to fulfill their desires, and that the desires need to exist in optimum. In an event whereby the desires do not exist, and chances are that the concerned persons will not have an opportunity to fulfill those needs, then chances are they are likely to commit suicide. Studies indicate that highly regulated individuals will commit suicide and vice versa (Pickering & Walford, 2000: 36). This form of suicide is termed as fatalistic suicide that emanates from excessive regulation, rendering individuals to be managed or run by oppressive rules and regulations in the society (Durkheim, 1979: 276). For instance, a prisoner who is entitled to more than three quarter of their lives in prison are likely to commit suicide, as majority of the decisions and actions that they do are managed by their leaders. Most of the times, they are under close scrutiny, have less freedom. Most of them are bitter with life and feel that the rules of the prison govern them at all times. Such persons are likely to end their lives, as a result of their being over-regulated in the society. It is of great essence to note that regulation and integration work hand in hand to minimize the rates of suicide in the society. In an event when the rates are high or low, it is likely that suicide takes place. Low integration may cause egoistic suicide as discussed previously whilst high integration may lead to altruistic suicide (Bryant, 2003:840). Low regulation on the other hand causes anomic suicide, whereas high regulation may result to fatalistic suicide. Regulation and integration, in this case must be kept at equilibrium levels, so as to have a balance in the lives of human beings in the social order. With Durkheim adhering to the fact that suicide is among the personal acts a being can get into, he based his findings after conducting research using the deductive method. Though this method, he able to come up with hypothesis and finally develop his thesis. To prove his facts right, Durkheim moved from parish to parish collecting tangible data, then came up theorems that suicide would be highest among the singles, Protestants or even among the men, as they were less or over regulated in the society (Tubergen, Ultee & Grotenhuis, 2005: 800). In the case of religious affiliations for instance, Durkheim weighed the chances of Protestants are Catholics committing suicide (Tubergen, Ultee & Grotenhuis, 2005: 800). After collecting data in the society, Tubergen, Ultee & Grotenhuis (2005: 805) argue that Durkheim found out that the Protestants are most vulnerable to suicide rates and that among the Catholics, the numbers would automatically be lower, and that among the Jews, the numbers would be far much lower. This can be explained that among the Protestants, there is freedom to choose only what to think, and among the individuals themselves, but not what to practice and believe. Tubergen, Ultee & Grotenhuis (2005: 805) term this as limitations and thus, the Protestants are forced to believe in what exists despite the interpretations. With minimal questioning of the Bible, suicide chances augment. This would be interpreted to mean that Protestants experience more integration, and are less isolated the more especially in the church. On the other hand, the Jews are educated, but do not substitute their traditional beliefs with modernity. Durkheim indicates that Catholics are free to choose what to believe in, and commits suicide less times (Van Poppel & Day, 1996: 507). Conclusively, this means that one’s religious affiliation greatly affects the suicide rates of that particular community, especially persons that are religiously committed are derive most of their driving forces on religion (Durkheim, 1979: 332). 3.0. Conclusion Conclusively, suicide can be referred to as one of the most prevalent ways in which persons in the society lose their lives. As evident in the essay, suicide types ranges from egoistic to altruistic. It is the role of the society in general to provide the society with optimum means in which individuals will manage to fulfill their desires without interference. This will in turn reduce the number of deaths in the society that are resultant from suicide. Sociologically, Durkheim’s work is one that is seemingly more accurate and factual as opposed to biological, psychological or scientific study. Though no research can be regarded as perfect, Durkheim’s work is a unique one that mostly focuses on the society in its first hand. However, it is tasking to get the exact reasons why people commit suicide, but Durkheim’s work covers gender, religion, race, all in an attempt to understand the reasons behind committing suicide. Sociology, as evident in Durkheim’s work is one that has provided variety means of gathering reliable information on suicide in the society, and among various persons. References Bryant, C., 2003. Handbook of Death and Dying. London: SAGE. Durkheim, E., 1979. Suicide: A Study in Sociology. New York City: The Free Press. Giddens, A., &Griffiths, S., 2006. Sociology.  Cambridge: Polity Press. Kivisto, P., 2003. Key Ideas in Sociology. Newbury Park, CA: Pine Forge Press. Martínez de Pisón, L.R., 2006. Death by Despair: Shame and Suicide. New York: Peter Lang. Pickering, S., & Walford, G., 2000. Durkheims Suicide: A Century of Research and Debate. London: Routledge. Smith, G., 2012. Recession has left middle-aged men most at risk of suicide. Men aged between 35 and 49 are now at higher risk of killing themselves than young men. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2201032/Recession-left-middle-aged-men-risk-suicide-England.html. Accessed on [30th November, 2012]. Stack, S., 1998.Sex Roles. Gender, Marriage, and Suicide Acceptability: A Comparative Analysis Volume 38, Issue 7-8, pp 501-520. London: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers. Tubergen. F., Ultee, W., & Grotenhuis, M., 2005. “Suicide: Neo-Durkheimian Multilevel Explanations Tested with Individual and Contextual Data” AJS Volume 111 Number 3 2005: 797–823. Van Poppel, F., & Day, H., 1996. “A Test of Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide—Without Committing the ‘Ecological Fallacy.” American Sociological Review 61:500–507. Read More