Suicide Essay, Research Paper

SUICIDE

?Suicide is conveniently defined, for our purposes, as doing something which results in one?s death, either from the intention of ending one?s life or the intention to bring about some other state of affairs (such as relief from pain) which one thinks it certain or highly probable can be achieved only by means of death or will produce death (Brandt, 1975, p.117).? Suicide occurs in all cultures, races, and religions. In ancient times suicide was considered a tragic alternative, then evolved under the persuasion of Christianity into a sin. Later, it became a crime, and now is frequently viewed as a sickness (Donnelly p.11). Today, it mainly arises among adolescents, but also the elderly and both sexes. When a person decides to commit suicide, people commonly question why. People often do not know the signs of a suicidal person and sometimes ignore suicidal threats, thinking it is just stress or ?crazy? talk. Unfortunately, when the person actually succeeds in ending their own life, the ask themselves, ?Why?? ?How could I have known?? or more frequently, ?What could I have done to help??

There are many opposing and approving views of suicide. Throughout history, some believed that people who assist or encourage others to commit suicide should be prosecuted, while others, such as, Roman philosopher and Stoic, Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 B.C. – A.D. 65), recommended dying well as an escape from the ills of living. He also believed that human beings should have the power and liberty to put an end to their life whenever and if ever they choose. In contrast, he thought it to be criminal to live by robbery, but noble to die by stealing one?s own life. Agreeing with Seneca, Joseph Fletcher, the famed situation ethicist, prefers to regard suicide as ?the signature of freedom?(Donnelly p.14), whereas, Joyce Carol Oates, an American novelist and essayist, prefers otherwise. She regards it as foolish, if not immoral. If there is no life after death, then death cannot be rationally chosen, because it remains inexperienced and unimaginable.

Almost equaling the same numbers as adolescents, the suicide rates among elders are relatively high. Also, ?double suicides? involving spouses or partners occur more frequently with the aged. Elders make up12% of our population and one-fifth of all suicides. Not to mention, white males over the age of 85 complete suicide at almost six times the national average.

So, what makes a young person want to put an end to their life? Well, adolescents for example, don?t necessarily commit suicide to prove something, but it is definitely a cry for help, which should never be ignored. Many times teens cannot express how horrible or desperate they are feeling – they simply cannot put their pain into words. There are four main reasons why teens commit suicide: biological, emotional, intellectual, and social. Disabilities such as depression due to chemical imbalance and physical disabilities and illnesses, are all biological. Emotional factors include sadness, stress, loneliness, and even confusion about sexual identity/orientation, anxiety, and so on. For example, (BUFFY). The intellectual aspect deals with the inability to communicate feelings, pressure to achieve or perform, etc. As for social issues, isolation, withdraw, in trouble at home, school, or with the law, etc., are more factors contributing to the suicide of adolescents. However, it is estimated that the majority of teens who die from suicide, mentioned it to a friend or relative before dying. Suicidal behavior among adolescents can be influenced by family situations, such as, conflicts with parents, who themselves, may be suicidal and psychiatrically disturbed and who create chaotic, unstable homes. But then again, suicidal behavior in peers is much more likely to trigger imitative suicidal behavior. Not to mention, suicidal conduct in family members, especially parents and siblings, also increase the risk of suicide in adolescents. Other contributions to teen suicide include major losses, such as, a death of a loved one, divorce in the family, a break-up with a partner, or even an unexpected pregnancy.

Similarly, elder suicide is associated with depression and issues causing depression. For example, chronic illness, physical impairment, loss and grief, and social isolation are few of the many reasons to cause elder suicide.

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