Finally, Durkheim s SUICIDE provides a theory detailing four types of suicide according to what their social causes are. The four types are egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. He explained them through integration and regulation. In that when social integration is low, the result is egoistic suicide. When there is high integration, altruistic suicide is the result. When regulation is low, the result is anomic suicide; and fatalistic suicide results when there is high regulation. (Breault and Barkley 1982) Breault (1986) says that altruistic and fatalistic suicide does not apply to modern society. Even if they did, they would be too difficult to test. Altruistic suicide is seen in primitive societies and the military. So, it is not accountable. Some research has been done on economic variables related to the anomie theory. The levels of industrialization are positively related to suicide. But, this was done in only forty-five countries. (323) Stack (1978) found that there is a positive correlation between economic growth and suicide. Most recent research has been done on egoistic suicide. Breault and Barkley looked at religious, domestic, and political indicators. Durkheim was not entirely correct in his theory that Jews commit suicide less than Catholics and Catholics less than Protestants. However, religious commitment does help somewhat to protect against suicide. Family integration is seen to have an influence on the suicide rate. Recent research has found that, married people are more integrated than single ones, married people are more integrated than widowed and divorced people, widowed and divorced people are more integrated than single people, married and widowed people with children are more integrated than married and widowed people without children. This supports Durkheim s view that there is a relation between suicide and family interaction. Finally, Durkheim s data on political integration is insufficient. There is not enough sufficient data to support his position. (Breault and Barkley 1982)
In my opinion, these studies may be more accurate than those done in earlier times, but no study is ever going to be perfect. There is no way to know exactly what causes suicide. There is not enough research done in every country, by every age, race, gender, etc. This is not to say that we should stop looking entirely. It is clear to me, after writing this paper, there is not enough variety in the ways information is gathered. There must be research done in every place suicide is committed, by every type of person. This is the best and most accurate way of determining the cause of suicide.
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Keel, Robert O. rok@umsl.edu Last updated: Monday, August 28, 2000
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/ rKeel/suicide.html
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