Bullycides – suicides caused by bullying. Suicide among teens is one of the most troublesome problems in America, and as of late, those rates have been rising. The mental health crisis caused by bullying among America’s youth is real and staggering.
Bullying increases the risk of teenage suicide. The National Center for Educational Statistics, in 2009, “said nearly 1 in 3 students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being bullied in school”. Eight years earlier, only 14 percent of that population said they had experienced bullying. “The suicide rate among 18- to 19-year-olds climbed 56 percent from 2008 to 2017. Other behaviors related to depression have also increased, including emergency department admissions for self-harm, such as cutting, as well as hospital admissions for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts” according to Jean (Twenge 2019).One of these kids, Tyler Long, who was being bullied by his peers at Murray High for being autistic finally decided to put an end to it, a permanent end. The same fate was placed upon a 15-year old, Irish immigrant, Phoebe Prince who experienced continuous bullying.
Studies were showing an increase in the symptoms of depression and in suicide among adolencents since 2010. Suicide beckons its victim with the cool relief of escaping the pains of one’s problems by the possibility of retreating to a calmer place – but, like a charlatan, its promises are empty(“Overcoming thoughts of suicide” 2018) . One societal shift that influenced teens the most in the past decade was the spread of smartphones and digital media.Cyberbullying has been on the rise, especially in girls (Ollove 2014). It has fully reconstructed their lives, and today teens spend more time communicating electronically which is associated with mental health issues.
However, many people think that bullying is a rite of passage and everyone goes through it. It is also hard to truly know that bullying is the cause for suicide. In most cases it may not be possible to definitively attribute a teen’s suicide to a particular cause, be it bullying, a broken heart, a bad test score, or simply chronic depression(Ollove 2014).Most people think drug abuse and depression cause most of the teenage suicides. That doesn’t mean that we can just shove bullying under the rug. The idea that there’s an epidemic in anxiety or depression among youth ‘is simply a myth,’ psychiatrist Richard Friedman wrote in The New York Times last year (Jean 2019) We need to create programs to help kids that are getting bullied and make sure that they are available to all people suffering from bullying.
By stopping bullying we can help prevent teenage suicides. This mental health and bullying crisis is shocking and it is up to us to stop it.’Mind that is God is not in matter; and God’s presence gives spiritual light, wherein is no darkness'(“Overcoming thoughts of suicide” 2018). So don’t be afraid to lend a helping hand and be the light in someone else’s darkness.
Male and female terrorists vary in socio-psychological backgrounds;
Galvin (1983) states that terrorism is a male-dominated activity and relates to struggling for power;
Feminine characters do not inhibit female adaptations to the more brutal terrorism roles and activities;
Since people do not expect any violent act from a woman, as they consider them non-violent, fragile and victim-like, female terrorists come as a surprise;
From the psychological perspective, male and female terrorists differ in their socio-psychological backgrounds such as motives, connections and objectives of the violence;
As Galvin demonstrated, terrorism is a male-dominated activity and is closely related to struggle for power. However, women destroy their female nature and resort to terrorism;
Female terrorist deal with every sort of terrorism activity and feminism does not hinder them from performing dangerous and risky tasks associated with terrorism;
As women are considered non-violent and fragile, female terrorism comes as a surprise to many as little harm is expected from female creatures;
Women are frequently used for sexual purposes although terrorist groups banns love affairs;
As the nature of terrorism is masculine, terrorism group destructs female self-esteem;
God-like positions held by male leaders attracts female terrorists and constructs their female terrorist identity;
As stated by O’ Rourke (2009, p. 681), same motives and circumstances drive both male and female attackers;
Gender wise, terrorist groups propose equal treatment to both men and women. Even though women are used as sex pets, terrorist groups ban love affairs;
Self-esteem among women within terrorist groups is relatively lowered since terrorism is regard as being masculine;
Males hold key positions in terrorist groups. Charismatic and God-like male leaders have attracted women to join terrorist groups in search for identity;
O’ Rourke carried a research that shows that the same motives drive both male and female attackers.
Female terrorism and sociological factors
Research by Martha Crenshaw (2004, pg. 410-412) shows that personality factors and gender differences do not account for the terrorist behavior;
Shared ideological commitment and group solidarity are more important determinants of terrorism responses than personal characteristics;
Ariel Merari (2007) claims that suicidal bombers are individual rather than a group phenomenon;
Root causes of terrorism include lack of democracy, lack of civil liberties and the rule of law, too rapid modernization, dictatorship, civil wars, history of violence, social injustices, etc.
Sociological factors contribute to the development of female terrorists. Research by Martha Crenshaw (2004, pg. 410-412) shows that personality factors and gender differences do not account for the terrorist behavior;
In the social world, terrorism has been demonstrated as a group activity rather than individualistic;
However, Ariel Merari describes rare cases such as suicidal bombers where the terrorist behavior is an individualistic act rather than a group phenomenon;
In any nation, terrorism results from one or a combination of factors such as lack of democracy, lack of civil liberties and the rule of law, too rapid modernization, dictatorship, civil wars, among others.
Revenge, redemption, respect, and relationships motivate female terrorists;
Religious and cultural differences modify methods used by terrorist groups. For instance, the Germany and Shining Path in Peru were radical socialists with no religious connection;
Female terrorists can be used as collaborators, informers, human shield, recruiters, sexual baits and perpetrators of acts of destruction and death;
Cultural and traditional habits can lead to female terrorism;
Revenge due to loss of loved once, inability to conceive, inability to get a mate, and the alleged or real sexual misconduct together with relationship issues leads to sparks female violence;
Religion and cultural beliefs can also lead to increased number of female terrorists. For instance, the Germany and Shining Path in Peru were radical socialists with no religious connection;
With non-violent beliefs held by people about women, female terrorists can easily smuggle and transport arms used for criminal activities;
Cultural and traditional discrimination against women, economic instability combined with patriarchal views of women roles lead to women resorting to violence.
Conclusion
Women try to escape from oppression by participating in terrorist activities;
Female terrorists are born and constructed by the harsh environments and violent institutions such as refugee camps;
Female terrorists behave like men and are regarded as modified man-like creatures;
Past social injustices or crimes against women stimulate violence in women;
In conclusion, women escape oppression through terrorism activities. They do so in order to solve challenging live issues that they are born with such as discrimination and social injustices;
Women resort to terrorist activities due to revenge, great frustration and anger brought about by the environment they live in;
In the bid to revenge, female engage in terrorism, that for long has been regarded as a male activity. Some of the female terrorists leave children and motherhood for violence just for revenge;
Social injustices and indiscrimination stimulate violence among women. For instance, Palestinian women became suicide bombers due to social injustices such discrimination due to infertility or rape;
Religious beliefs play a role in nurturing terrorists. In addition, women are motivated by negative self-identity in the society;
Loss of loved ones and psychological trauma accelerates construction of female terrorists;
In conclusion, the environment and social factors nurtures female terrorists;
Religious beliefs held by groups also play a significant role in terrorism. Palestinian and Chechen terrorists believed in becoming martyrs if they were killed prompting women to join the groups;
Powerful terrorist leaders attract women who have lost loved ones, homes and relatives in a bid to revenge;
Nobody is born a terrorist. Female terrorists evolved to become what they are.
Three elements of cyberbullying include intent to cause harm, repetition, and use of electronic devices (Breguet, 2007). In order for a bullying incident to be considered cyberbullying, the actions of the perpetrator must be connected to harm caused. Therefore, it should be intentional and not accidental. The bullying must have happened over and over, and must have been perpetrated through the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices (Breguet, 2007). From the aforementioned elements of cyberbullying, it can be concluded that Katlyn Roman and Guadalupe Shaw should be charged with a cyberbullying crime. First, they sent denigrating text messages on Sedwick’s mobile phone and social media platforms wishing her harm (Wallace, 2014).
For example, they repeatedly sent text messages saying that even if she died, she would not be missed. The issue of her death was covered in several text messages. Second, the bullying happened over and over both online and offline. The bullying had been going on for a long time before Sedwick committed suicide. Roman confessed to bullying Sedwick in sixth grade (Wallace, 2014). Another student admitted that she saw Roman bully Sedwick repeatedly. Third, the bullying was perpetrated through cell phones and the Internet. Denigrating text messages were sent to Sedwick’s Facebook page and mobile phone (Wallace, 2014). Roman and Shaw are guilty and should be charged with a cyberbullying crime.
The argument that undiagnosed depression is the main cause of suicide is wrong. In Sedwick’s case, her depression had been diagnosed and she was seeing a counselor. Despite efforts to address the issue, Sedwick’s life was filled with sad events including a poor relationship with her father, aggravated bullying, and fights between her parents. The statement is wrong because seeing a counselor is ineffective if the victim does not change aspects such as thinking patterns and environment. The environment is a critical component in the development of suicidal thoughts. Moreover, committing suicide is an indication that an individual could not take the pain of living any more.
Suicide is becoming an area of interest owing to the wide use of social media because of the role technology plays in encouraging suicide-related behavior. For example, cyberbullying has been shown to increase the rates of suicide among teenagers. Young people are influenced by the content they see on social media. Video blogs and videos on suicide are aimed at educating the public. However, they influence teenagers into embracing suicide-related attitudes and behaviors. Bullying has moved from schoolyards to social networking platforms. People use social media to harass, intimidate, traumatize, and harm other people (Marcovitz, 2010).
The severity of cyberbullying pushes people into suicide because of the embarrassment, shame, and trauma it causes. Social media does not push people to commit suicide. Nonetheless, improper uses such as cyberbullying exacerbate conditions such as depression and lead to suicide. Suicide will not receive sufficient attention to necessitate the provision of professional help for suicidal people because many western countries do not consider it a crime. For example, suicide was decriminalized in Australia and Europe (Marcovitz, 2010). In the United States, suicide is not illegal even though people who attempt it are punished in accordance with the law. Unless suicide is considered a crime by law, it will not receive sufficient attention for people to care enough to act. On the other hand, cases of suicide are underreported in many countries because it is against cultural norms to talk about it openly.
Two possible causes of varied suicide rates around the world include religion and social attitudes. In countries where suicide is considered a crime, many cases are hidden and as a result, go unreported to authorities. In Hungary, Singapore, and Japan, suicide is a criminal offence (Marcovitz, 2010). In other countries where religion plays a key role in the values and norms of the people, suicide is a topic that is rarely discussed. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is against cultural values to talk about or admit to suicide because it is shrouded in a stigma of guilt that prevents people from talking about suicidal thoughts (Marcovitz, 2010). In these countries, cases of suicide are very low because even though suicide happens, it is hidden from the authorities.
They are unreported for fear of stigmatization or punishment. Suicide should be considered a deviant behavior because it violates social norms. Moreover, it can be prevented if victims seek professional help for conditions that cause it such as depression and mental illnesses (Marcovitz, 2010). People commit suicide when the pain of living exceeds the ability of available resources to mitigate the pain. Counselors and therapist can help people with suicidal thoughts change their lives and find meaning in their existence (Marcovitz, 2010). Innumerable resources are available to help individuals overcome suicidal thoughts. In that regard, suicide should be considered a deviant behavior. In countries where suicide is not illegal, victims are still punished for attempting to end their lives. This is an indication that even though laws do not illegalize suicide, violation of social norms is unacceptable. Suicide is a socially-constructed concept that violates social norms and acceptable codes of behavior.
References
Breguet, T. (2007). Cyberbullying. New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group.
Marcovitz, H. (2010). Suicide. New York, NY: ABDO.
Tyler Clementi was a college student at Rudgers University in Piscataway Township, New Jersey, who allegedly committed suicide after his sexual encounter with another person was exposed to the public over the internet by his two friends, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei.
The online broadcast took place without the knowledge of the eighteen-year-old freshman in college and it made him to jump to his death from the George Washington Bridge on September 22, 2010. Ravi, through his Twitter feed details, had hinted that he was to broadcast another live video of Clementi’s gay relationship with his boyfriend (Pilkington, para. 8).
However, this did not happen as Clementi was outraged at the continued exposure of his privacy and he went and committed suicide. Because Ravi and Wei are responsible for invading the privacy of Clementi, they should be severely punished due to the fact that through their selfish acts, someone died.
Every American deserves his or her right against unsanctioned invasion of privacy, and Clementi was no exception (Baniser and Davies, para. 2).
More so, since he was eighteen years of age, he is a fully-fledged citizen of the United States of America. This fundamental human right has been the value of the American way of life and the so-called technological inventions of this century should not try to contravene this fact. The legacy of respecting other people’s privacy has been an essential ingredient in the maintenance of the American culture that started over four hundred years ago.
Some young people who violated this essential virtue that has held the American people together for years caused the suicide of Clementi. Therefore, should they be allowed to go scot-free because of technological improvement? No, the tenets of a society are timeless and Ravi and Wei, who are all eighteen years of age, were old enough to judge that their actions were likely to make someone feel irritated.
Currently, many young people are violating the rights of their friends, just as Ravi and Wei did. This has caused many damages as many of the affected have ended up killing themselves in order to avoid the ensuing humiliation.
Should we allow this trend to continue? If such habits are allowed to continue, especially among the American youth, how will our society be in the next ten or twenty years? As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure, the severe punishment of Ravi and Wei will serve as an example that such kind of habits cannot be tolerated in the modern American society as they are likely to break the very fabric that has maintained it for many years now.
More so, since this incident has received increased media attention, the whole nation is watching the outcome of the case. Therefore, the severe punishment of the offenders will serve as a lesson to prevent the future occurrences of such violations of law that have far-reaching consequences. This can teach the significance of civility, with special emphasis that the misuse of modern means of communication is not allowed.
In the first place, broadcasting a live video over the internet of the sexual encounters of Clementi is a societal evil that could have not occurred. Besides breaching the privacy of someone, the offenders did a horrible mistake of letting the public know of the habits of their friend.
Friends are supposed to guard the interests of one another, and instead of doing this, Ravi and Wei went contrary to this very basic tenet of friendship and washed their friend’s dirty linen to the entire public, an action that regrettably caused his premature death. Due to this, the offenders are supposed to be in big trouble because of their uncaring attitude of failing to think of the consequences of their actions.
Clementi, a gifted violinist, was someone who had a good-looking future. And, for his friends to joke with his private life in public is horrible. Instead of minding their own business, Ravi and Wei put up cameras to catch the actions of Clementi for fun and they should bear the blame for his death.
The circumstances surrounding Clementi’s eventual death began when Ravi posted a Twitter message that read, “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly’s room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay” (Foderaro, para. 1).
On the same day Ravi posted the message, Rutgers University had started a campus wide initiative to teach its students on the ethics of the use of new technology. However, disregarding this initiative by his college, Ravi went ahead and posted the damaging information on the private life of his roommate.
The actions of Ravi and Wei “gravely violated the university’s standards of decency and humanity” and the efforts of the institution to encourage “civility within the social life of the campus” (Foderaro, para. 13). Therefore, because of the catastrophe that followed the violation of the rules of the university, severe punishment should be given to the offenders so that others may not repeat the same mistake.
Within the state of New Jersey, it is considered a criminal offense to invade the privacy of someone with the intention of gathering or seeing images portraying another person’s nakedness or sexual encounter while he or she is not aware of such actions.
This fourth degree crime can make one serve a potential prison sentence of up to ten years, if other charges are also included in the crime. In addition, the dissemination of such pictures to the public is a third degree criminal offense that can make one to serve a prison sentence of up to five years.
More so, within the regulations of Rutgers University, collecting images of someone without his or her consent is an outright violation of the student code of conduct. As a result, Ravi and Wei are likely to be thrown out of the institution. Therefore, being students at the university, Ravi and Wei cannot prove to be ignorant of the repercussions that were awaiting their action of invading the privacy of someone.
Before the advancement in technology, schoolchildren bullied one another, especially by the use of physical force. However, with the invention of modern technology, things have changed and the physical altercations are rarely used as schoolchildren bully one another by the use of the power of the technology.
Notable is the use of the internet to send derogatory comments of someone. This is even worse as someone’s reputation can be severely damaged when millions around the world discover something about him or her. This is the kind of situation that Clementi was put into when Ravi and Wei posted his pictures on the internet without his consent with the intention of harassing him. Therefore, for instigating the harassment, the two should face the penalties of the law.
The death of the talented young man is very dreadful, especially since it took place in America and in the twenty-first century. Clementi’s young life could have been saved if his two ‘friends’ did not stream his video on the internet for the view of the public. What was intended for fun ended up ending the life of someone who was described as “very friendly with a very good potential for the future” (Foderaro, para. 6).
In the United States, suicide is the second most common cause of death among teenagers, and, most of the time this is caused by disagreements among the teenagers themselves. Since college life is a time when most young people discover themselves, it is essential that one find productive social relations.
However, this was not the case with Clementi as he failed to enjoy his life in college because of the continued harassments of his so-called friends. It is astonishing that Ravi and Wei were not considering the consequence of their actions by infringing on the rights of their fellow college mate.
In conclusion, it is certain that Ravi and Wei should be severely punished for publishing the videos of Clementi and his boyfriend online as their cruel game ended the life of someone who had a great future. If they could have not done this, Clementi’s life could have been preserved. He committed suicide because he was unwilling to face the public humiliation of his action.
Works Cited
Baniser, David, and Davies, Simon. “Privacy and Human Rights.” Global Internet Liberty Campaign. Privacy International, n.d. Web.
While teenage suicide is a big problem in society, it is preventable upon an early detecting and heeding to the warning signs. The reality is that a suicidal person does not really want to die; he/she wants to live without the psychological pain caused by the environment around him/her and the society. When examined closely, almost all teenage suicides take place within a particular environmental created by social forces of how people interact directly or indirectly and subsequently creates an atmosphere conducive for suicide.
Environmental and Social aspect
Every incident of teenage suicide affects everyone in the society from those who knew the individual to those who did not. There is an overwhelming feeling of grief, confusion, and the sense of how people could the prevented the suicide. It must be recognized that teenagers experience more stress, confusion and other fears while growing than any other generation up and parents should work to ensure the environmental exposures are suitable based on the child’s maturity and needs.
According to Cadena (2007, Para. 2), “Environmental factors that impact the suicidal ideation of teenagers vary from individual to individual”. With this in mind, those responsible should become well versed in the emotional, psychological and social health of their children.
In the age of the internet, facebook, twitter, MySpace, you tube, and/or email and so much more, teenagers tend to react more quickly to data and communication aspects than they would have in earlier generations. When the pressure to react and the confusion on the appropriate action to take overwhelm the teenagers, they only think within the lines of suicide, as they are outcasts to the teenage society to which they belong.
For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with stepparents and stepsiblings, not performing well in school, being involved in failed emotional relationships with the opposite sex or even moving to a new community can prove very unsettling.
These accumulated events on the environment can intensify self-doubts and for some teens, suicide may appear to be a better solution to their problems and an outlet for stress. While the teenager may be able to endure the problems of stress and pressures caused by the environment and in that state display all the danger signs of a troubled and suicidal teenager there is normally a final trigger.
This final trigger is normally an event that the teenager finds that there is no point of exit from the environment and no place to exist peacefully in the society and hence suicide is the only option. The failure to recognize the sociological effects of events on the teenager’s environment be it at school, home or neighborhood by the authority figures and those close to the teenager leads the teenager to seek an exit from the environment and society.
Cases
There exist several cases of teenage suicide. For instance, Megan Taylor Meier (1992-2006) from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri committed suicide in her bedroom closet by hanging herself.
After opening a new account on MySpace, Meier received a message from Josh Evans, claimed to have been 16 years old. Within a short time, the two were strong associates over the internet regularly communicating through text messages despite the evident lack of meeting physically or conversing over the phone, a case that aroused Megan’s thoughts and emotions.
On October 15, 2006, the tone of the messages changed with Josh indicating that he did not desire to continue the friendship and thereafter messages of previous discussions between Josh and Megan appeared posted on bulletin and shared to other people. Two days later, after school Megan noticed that the friends of Josh incidentally started posting abusive language concerning her and it became a free for all against her.
In a natural response Megan was angry and lashed out at them on the internet, her mother noticed Megan’s state and while understanding the situation was angry with Megan for also using abusive language. This led to a confrontation between Megan and her mother and it ended with Megan expressing her disappointment that she expected her mother to be there for her and to take her side. This was the last time she would be seen alive as she immediately went and committed suicide.
Another case of suicide was that of Bill Clayton (1978-1995). Bill had been associated with the gays at a tender age of 17. As a result, he was severely assaulted, a case that arouse his anger only for him to opt for suicide after taking an overdose of drugs. At 14, Bill informed his parents that he was bisexual, though initially afraid of disclosing his sexuality. This incident led bill to depression. At some point Bill had to be hospitalized from the depression. After two years in counseling, Bill recovered and his mental health improved.
When a speaker on gays and lesbians was invited to give a speech, Billy volunteered by putting up posters little did he know that this would later cause problems. On April 6, 1995, Billy, Sam and his girlfriend were going home during the day when four people started hurling verbal abuses at them. To avoid confrontation the three took an alternative route only for the people to drive and block their path and beat them up while hurling insults in regards to his sexual orientation.
This incident caused a depressive relapse and Bill became suicidal and had to be readmitted to hospital. Bill could only feel safe at home, as one of the four people who attacked them was a senior student in the same school. As a patient, he received news from his friend about a mugging done to his friend, also rumored to be a gay thus arousing much fear of his own security. 10 days later, he was discharged came home and there after took an overdose that killed him.
Prior to hospitalization, he had indicated to his mother that he was tired of just coping and the knowledge that he or his friends could be attacked at anytime and that he was facing a future of a lifetime filled with hate and assault at anytime. In the words of his mother Clayton (1996, Para. 34), “The only place he felt safe was at home. The desperate young Bill finally committed suicide.
The 13-year old Ryan Patrick Halligan (1989-2003) too provides a real illustration of a teen suicidal case. Ryan was repeatedly sent instant messages school classmates threatening and accusing him of being gay. Within the period 1999-2000, Ryan suffered maltreatment and insults by his fellow students at the school, based on his inability to engage in games and had knowledge mayhem.
Further, his passion for arts and crafts coupled with his inability to weep even after the harassments drew the students into the inference that Ryan was actually a gay. Later on, Ryan started spending more time on online and specifically on AIM among others. It was on AIM that the students from the school started insulting and bullying him online through the chat and message boards by among other things calling him gay.
During this time, Ryan experienced a very strong emotional imbalance from Ashley, a popular girl who called him a loser. Ashley disclosed that her interest in him was to acquire personal information a fact she proved when their confidential relations appeared on message boards for his classmates to discomfit and debase him. At around the same time, Ryan began online conversations with a stranger about his suicide plans.
However, his further casually dismissed the matter by commenting lightly on it without further consideration. Ryan later committed suicide. In the words of his father, Halligan (2006, Para. 23) says, “We have no doubt that bullying and cyber bullying were significant environmental factors that triggered Ryan’s depression.”
Signs/Causes
Suicide among teens often occurs following a stressful life event such as a perceived failure at school, a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the death of a loved one, and a divorce, or a major family conflict. Other potential causes include changes in life events such as the death of a family member or friend, especially by suicide, separation or divorce, loss of an important relationship, including a pet, public humiliation or failure, serious physical illness or getting in trouble with the law can trigger suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts.
These stressful events have a profound emotional impact on the teenager and while the rest of society may be able to move due to the limited knowledge and understanding, they cannot visualize the future or expect it to get better. This situation is further compounded by the authority figures such as parents and teachers who do not explain the reasons why some events occur and how things will improve.
According to Cadena (2007), “…Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up” (Para.4). However, suicide does not happen overnight, there are behavioral signs that would be displayed by the teenager over a period that clearly depict that there is a problem.
These signs are not a guarantee of a suicidal attempt but they point to a potential problem. Some of these signs of suicidal tendencies include dramatic change in personality, becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression, quality of his/her schoolwork going down and always appearing bored.
He/she has trouble concentrating, acting like a rebel in an unexplained and severe way, accident proneness, drug and alcohol abuse, violence towards self, others and animals, dangerous or risky behavior, loss of appetite ,sudden alienation from family and friends, lack of sleep or excessive sleeping, giving away valued possessions and writing of letters, notes, poems with suicidal contents. Suicidal teens may also give verbal indicators such as talking about suicide or death in general.
Talk about “going away”, talk about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty, I will not be a burden to you much longer, nothing matters, I feel so alone and want to die. It is not worth persevering with this stuff. “The teenager thinking of suicide may even joke about it and how it may be an interesting experience” (Gibelman, 2005, Para. 4).
It is important to be aware of the kind of things your teenager says as they could be looking for confirmation that they are valued and in search of positive confirmation. The comments aim at seeking attention from others and open up dialogue and discussion on the matter of concern.
Social Worker’s response
According to Gibelman (2005, Para. 2), “Social workers are highly skilled in crisis intervention and can help you to determine how real a suicide threat is”. The social worker being a trained professional would be able to advice you on the most suitable immediate action based on the present circumstances as evaluated. Social workers would also be able to point out and device mechanisms for reaching out to at-risk teens educating the community about suicide warning signs and thereby prevent suicides.
Social workers sometimes encounter frustrated parents who do not know how to deal with their struggling teen because in most cases there is no coordinated system designed to take care of the troubled teenager and the parent. In some cases, parents and teenagers do not seek the appropriate help and assistance, they instead settle for what is available that they can afford.
When teenage crises emerge, many parents scramble seeking information and help but in most cases the help turns out to be incomplete and of little use something that can easily be addressed by the social workers. Social workers can be of great help by providing information on important warning signs of teenagers who may be a downward emotional and psychological spiral, so that emergency intervention can take place.
However, emergency interventions only help stabilize the situation when combined with continued counseling for both the teenager and family in order for them to understand what is going on and to provide family support. Social workers can help parents seek help to change counterproductive family dynamics and parenting strategies as well as teaching problem-solving skills.
Social workers can also educate about needed programs and services about legal assistance from educational advocates who are specially trained to pursue funding and services from local school districts; “The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) views the current high rate of child and adolescent suicide as a national tragedy” (NASW, 2003, Para. 1).
Understandably, parents of struggling teens are often preoccupied with immediate crises. When their efforts to help their child also fail to protect the teen frustration, anger, and despair grow.
Social workers can help parents manage these feelings by teaching them how to cope. While it is important to be observant of the teenager’s behavior for signs of problems, it is also critical to recognize that skilled and professional help may be of greater help. Recognizing that everyday events have a significant effect on our children will also play a crucial role in keeping parents and guardians mindful of the environment at home and even in the neighborhoods to ensure that, their children can grow up safe and socially healthy.
References
Cadena, C. (2007). Teen Suicide and the Impact of the Environment. Key Areas of Focus For Parents. Web.
Clayton, G. (1996). Portrait of a Son’s Suicide Bill’s Story (1996-2010). Web.
Gibelman, M. (2005). Social workers Help .Suicide Prevention: How social workers Help. Web.
On May 12, 2003 three separate teams of terrorists carried out suicide bomb attacks on the Dorrat Al Jadawel compound, the Al Hamra Oasis Village and the Vinnel Corporation Compound all of which were located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Their actions resulted in the deaths of 35 people with well over 160 others injured in the process (The world this week, 2003). It was an attack that was unprecedented in the history of Saudi Arabia since it was ideological in nature and was aimed specifically at foreign nationals (The world this week, 2003).
When examining the various aspects of this case the most interesting facet is the motivation behind the actions of the suicide bombers. As seen in the recorded wills that were made shortly before they carried out their suicide attacks, one interconnecting theme between all of the bombers is their assumption that what they do is for the “greater good” in that through their actions they would “rescue and defend” their fellow Arabs from the unjust incursions of foreign powers on both the land and culture of the Arab people.
In fact various studies which have examined the psychological underpinnings of suicide bombings have shown that most if not all of the participants involved don’t view the potentially dozens of people they may kill as a sin rather for them it is an act of devotion towards the precepts of Islam (Cooper, 2008).
When taking such factors into consideration it is thus important to examine the reactions of the general public towards the actions of the suicide bombers. The reason behind this is quite simple, if the suicide bombers are doing this “for the people” as they say then it is important to understand the whether the general public has a positive or negative reaction towards such violent actions which are “supposedly” for their sake.
Objectives
The objective of this report is to investigate the following:
1.) Discern the general impression the selected respondents have on the suicide bombing incidents in Riyadh.
2.) Determine whether the respondents would be more inclined towards thinking of terrorism in a positive way if it were to occur in another country.
3.) Examine the general impression the respondents have on foreign interests within Saudi Arabia.
4.) Analyze the reactions of the respondents towards the decision making process of the suicide bombers.
5.) Determine the current view of the respondents towards the actions of terrorist groups who radicalize certain elements of the Quran in order to justify bombing public areas.
6.) Examine the general impression the respondents have regarding the possible negative ramifications of correlated to Islam as a direct result of the actions of suicide bombers and terrorist groups.
The following questions will also be asked from the respondents:
Do you believe that the suicide bombers are being misinformed by terrorist groups regarding the necessity of violent action in order to achieve their goals?
What do you believe is the primary reason why “volunteers” would willingly sacrifice their lives? Is it primarily a religious reason or are their social underpinnings regarding their actions?
Do you think that the actions of the Riyadh suicide bombers was justified given the fact that so many innocent people died who had absolutely nothing to do with the U.S. lead invasion of Iraq?
Do you harbor any ill will towards the U.S. is general? Or do you believe that it isn’t the American people who are at fault but rather their misguided leadership?
From your point of view, do you believe it is justified to kill dozens of people for the sake of getting a point across?
Hypothesis
The hypothesis of this study is that while the general public within Saudi Arabia don’t necessarily like the interference foreign powers (particularly the U.S.) have had on their land, culture and internal affairs most people think that acts of terrorism hinder rather than result in any positive resolution to the issue.
The sub-hypothesis of this study also assumes that the general public within Riyadh thinks the acts of terrorism actually result in global mistrust, apprehension and even vilification of Arabs in general which hinders international efforts towards peaceful relations with other cultures and states.
Framing an Interview Schedule
Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation the questionnaire results will be completely anonymous with the respondents of the study picked randomly within the school campus as well as various members of the local community near the campus or within the proximity of the researcher’s home. This is done in order to ensure a certain degree of diversity in the answers given.
The questionnaires themselves will be handed on an individual basis with the researcher waiting for each participant to finish completing the questionnaire. After completion each respondent will be assured of the anonymity of their responses and that in no way will their identity be disclosed. This particular interview will be conducted on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in order to get the maximum number of respondents for the questionnaire.
Several members of the researcher’s friends and family will be asked to deliver questionnaires to various individuals that they know. This ensures that the research results will not be biased since the researcher is merely asking them to recruit respondents and not fill out the forms themselves. 10 respondents will be utilized for this particular study.
Data Collection
Response to the Questionnaire
Positive
Negative
Impression on Suicide Bombers
5%
95%
Impression on foreign interference
20%
80%
Impression on the ideology behind suicide attacks
5%
95%
Impression on Terrorist Organization’s use of Radical Islam
20%
80%
Affect on the views of other countries on Islam as a result of the bombings
0%
100%
Data Analysis
The data from the respondents show that 95% of the respondents have a generally negative impression regarding the actions of suicide bombers and in fact 100% of them stated that in no way is terrorism justified whether in their country or another due to the loss of innocent life. Of the 5% that had a positive impression regarding the bombings their primary reasoning was connected to their belief that a message needed to be sent.
Further examination of the research results showed that 80% of the respondents had a generally negative impression regarding foreign interference within the internal domestic policies of Saudi Arabia and in fact the 80% regarded foreign interference as one of the main reasons behind the so called “corruption” of the traditional values within the nation. 20% of the respondents on the other hand a distinctly different impression since they regard western influences as another aspect of the globalization of cultures, business and even governance which people should embrace.
When presented with the question regarding their impression of the decision making processes that influenced the terrorist bombers 95% agreed that the reasoning behind such actions were flawed and that it was merely a result of a radicalized interpretation of the Quran which many within the conservative Islamic state consider to be highly unethical and actually against the precepts established by the Prophet Mohammed.
From their point of view, the bloodshed and grief caused by acts of terrorism can never be truly justified especially when taking into consideration the fact that they are targeting the wrong individuals. On the other hand 5% of the respondents did agree with the actions of the bombers with the justification that the protection of the “people” justified such actions.
Presented with the question regarding their impression of the use of terrorist groups of radicalized elements of Islam in order to convince people to commit acts of terrorism 80% of the respondents indicated that it was a vehement atrocity against the Quran to twist its words in such a way so as to cause someone to give up their life for a false cause.
On the other hand 20% of the respondents indicated that the men responsible for the suicide bombings should be held accountable for their own actions since they had the ethical responsibility to not commit such atrocities in the first place yet still went through with it.
Not only that, 100% of the respondents are in agreement that the actions of the suicide bombers does cast a negative light on Islam since it creates a connotation between it and the radicalized actions of a few which is being attributed to the many by various countries all over the world which has resulted in a generally negative view against both the practitioners of Islam as well as Arabs in general.
Overall, the results of the study show an overwhelming abhorrence from the respondents regarding the actions of suicide bombers. The primary reason behind this negative reaction is due to the fact that the people they are targeting are often the innocent who never really caused any harm.
Interpretation of Findings
Based on the findings of the investigation it clearly shows that a vast majority of the respondents for this study are clearly against the concept of suicide bombings. Various studies which have examined this particular issue from various angles indicate that the problem lies in the fact that such attacks don’t discriminate against the innocent and the guilty and as such results in more problems than solutions.
In fact studies such as those by Witty (2009) indicate that the various suicide attacks that have been occurring within the Middle East have mostly involved the deaths of innocent people which has resulted in public opinion turning against terrorist groups in general due to their non-discriminatory actions (Witty, 2009).
It must also be noted that most people within the Muslim community view the actions of suicide bombers as generally originating from radicalized versions of Islamic text and are in no way in accordance with the primary methods of teaching of Islam.
In fact various Islamic scholars point out that the way in which “radical Islam” (referring to the type of Islam espoused by people such as blind Sheik and Osama Bin Laden) is in fact so divergent from the original context that it is apparent that it has been warped by terrorist groups for their own purposes (Mohapatra, 2002).
Most of the respondents agree that the interference of foreign powers in the domestic issues of states such as Saudi Arabia is disrespectful of the traditions and indigenous knowledge that are the cornerstones of the Arabic culture however they do acknowledge the fact that to resist all forms connectivity with the outside world is a terrible concept and would result in negative repercussions.
In fact based on the data from the study, a majority of the respondents agree that the actions of suicide bomber actually creates a negative image regarding Islam and makes it that much more difficult to establish positive relationships with other states (Zuhdi, n.d).
Thus, it can be stated that based on the results of the survey most of the respondents don’t agree with the actions of the suicide bombers and as such nullifies the argument of the bombers and terrorist groups who say that they are doing this for the “people”. If the people themselves don’t want such actions to be done in the first place, how can it really be said that what they are doing is for the people at all?
Conclusion
The primary and sub hypothesis of this report has been proven to be accurate when it stated that while the general public within Saudi Arabia don’t necessarily like the interference foreign powers (particularly the U.S.) have had on their land, culture and internal affairs most people think that acts of terrorism hinder rather than result in any positive resolution to the issue. Not only that, the study has also shown that the resulting “image backlash” as a direct result of the bombings has in effect adversely affected Islam and the Arabic people.
What must be understood is that while people acknowledge the fact that there are problems they believe that the death of innocents is not the way to go about resolving such issues especially when taking into consideration the fact that the methods utilized are based on an aspect of Islam that is not accepted by mainstream leaders of the Islamic world.
Reference List
Cooper, L. F. (2008). Terrorism and Modernity. New Politics, 12(1), 107.
Mohapatra, A. K. (2002). Radical islam: ideology behind global terrorism. India Quarterly, 58(2), 93.
The world this week. (2003). Economist, 367(8324), 6.
Witty, D. M. (2009). The Last Crusade: Americanism and the Islamic Reformation / Unmodern Men in the Modern World: Radical Islam, Terrorism, and the War on Modernity. Journal Of Military History, 73(2), 693-695.
Zuhdi, J. (n.d). Muslims in the crosshairs. Washington Times, The (DC).
The dataset selected for this assignment is “Health expenditure and suicide rates [2000-2019]” by Fernando Retamales. The author’s goal is to promote awareness of preventable death causes by showing the correlation between suicides and countries’ average costs of healthcare services (Retamales, 2022). It contains annual statistics for nations that provided their information to the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding mental and physical health payments per citizen, alongside the number of deaths by self-harm per 100,000 citizens.
The dataset can be used by governments in policymaking processes and by healthcare providers in creating accessible options for patients who are at risk of taking their lives. It can also serve as a basis for scientific research that studies depression, suicides, and overall happiness in different populations. Trends that are apparent in the dataset can be used in a statistical analysis of efficient prevention strategies. However, this large table may require additional manipulations to become a viable source of evidence for a particular country. For example, a nation must compare health expenditures per person with their costs and average salaries. It might be challenging to evaluate the impact of depression without knowing its causes, making it essential for scientists to incorporate outside sources into a study that is based on the author’s work.
There is a need to expand the list of parameters in the table to receive a clear picture of the situation within each community. Organizations can utilize this dataset for the proposed purposes by adding information from other sources to complement the statistics with different socioeconomic and health-related parameters. In conclusion, the dataset regarding health expenditures and their correlation to suicide rates provides an apparent link between these two arguments, although it cannot be viewed as a complete tool for policymaking purposes.
Recent researches show that the rate of suicide among the First Nations young people is increasingly frightening, more so among Aboriginal people of North Ontario region of Canada.
Estimates show that the rate of suicide among Aboriginal is 2-3 times higher as compared to that of non-Aboriginals of Canada (Health Canada, 2003) and when the overall youth population is analyzed, estimates show that Aboriginal youth suicide rate is 5-6 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal youth (Health Canada, 2003).
Numerous factors have been cited to cause suicide among the Aboriginal people such as socio-psychological, economical, political, religious and cultural (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, n.d).
The government together with other stakeholders has established numerous suicide prevention strategies, but as many researchers and analysts state, the program has largely failed to accomplish the stated goals, thus suicide cases and rates are still prevalent and high.
Therefore, the emphasis of this paper will be to evaluate the Suicide policy in Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario and provide recommendations for possible re-invention of the policy.
Reinventing Suicide Policy in Aboriginal Communities in Northern Ontario
The issue of suicide in society has attracted numerous literatures where each piece of writing tries to explain the origin or source of suicide. Such literatures utilize the numerous theories that exist in explaining and analyzing the issue of suicide. Today, there are many theories that have been formulated by many researchers, which explain why people commit suicide in society.
For example in 1935, Freud formulated a theory, which postulated that people commit suicide to express their aggressive behaviors (Johnson, 2010, p.36). Shneidman and Farberow (1957) had a theory where they examined suicide in the context of comparing individuals with others using indicators of social acceptance.
On his part, Durkheim (1979) argued that suicide results from absence of social integration and social regulation (Johnson, 2010). Further, to Linehan (1993), suicide can be explained as a process which individual opts to in order to eliminate pain and suffering especially when the individual lacks appropriate coping mechanisms (Johnson, 2010).
Jamison (1999) was categorical on the issue of suicide where he noted that suicide manifested a wide impacts of pain and continuous disappointment among the victim and when such victims choose to terminate their lives, the general impression is that their life is characterized by absence of appropriate coping mechanisms (Johnson, 2010).
All these theories foster one important aspect about suicide, which is; suicide, as a concept is multidimensional and complex problem, which makes it more difficult to make assessment and treatment, but at the same time, it is clear that almost all suicides share some mental conditions.
Suicide among the Aboriginal communities
The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Committee identifies suicide as a special and urgent issue among the Aboriginal people. The observation of the committee is that Aboriginal people have un-addressed internal anguish that threatens to overpower them.
The committee describes the causes of suicide among the Aboriginals to be “the expression of a kind of collective anguish-part grief, part anger-tearing at the minds and hearts of many people.
This anguish is the cumulative effect of 300 years of colonial history: lands occupied, resources seized, beliefs and cultures ridiculed, children taken away, power concentrated in distant capitals, and hopes for honorable co-existence dashed over and over again” (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Committee, n.d).
The Center for Suicide Prevention, in its publication, notes that during the pre-European contact era, suicide among the Aboriginal population in Canada was uncommon, and that suicide rates escalated during the past few decades.
At the same time, in 1999, Health Canada established that suicide and self-injury cases had increased to assume the leading position as major cause of death among young people and adults up to about the age of 44 (cited in Center for Suicide Prevention, 2003).
During the same year, it was established that suicide and self-injury reported cases accounted for almost 38 per cent of deaths among the adolescents and young people while deaths among adults stood at 23 per cent (Center for Suicide Prevention, 2003).
Conducting another research in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples established that the rate of suicide among the Aboriginal population was three times more when compared with the general population of Canada (cited in Center for Suicide Prevention, 2003).
From the year 2000, the rate of Aboriginal suicide has been estimated to be twice that of overall national rate (Austin, 2010, p.949) and from 1999 to 2003 in Inuit regions, the rate of suicide has been ten times when compared with the national rate (Austin, 2010, p.949). Notably, adolescents who have Indian registration status are believed to be more likely to die from suicide than the average Canadian adolescent is (Austin, 2010).
Calling it an ‘epidemic’ The Edmonton Journal article observed that the rate of suicide in the whole nation of Canada was particularly higher among the Inuit population, where suicide cases among the population was estimated to be seven times the national rate which was 11.3 cases of suicides for every 100,000 persons (The Edmonton Journal, 2007, p.1).
Summarizing these astonishing data the article noted that suicide in the country had, “overshadowed communities even the healthy communities” (The Edmonton Journal, 2007, p.1).
These suicide rates for Aboriginal population may not be accurate since there have been some cases of underreporting. For instance, data information collected by the Statistics Canada are only for those who have Aboriginal status hence excluding non-status First Nations groups such as Métis and the Inuit people (Austin, 2010).
Further, the rate of suicides that can be regarded to be accidental among the Aboriginal people is 4-5 times higher than that of the general population, and almost 25 per cent of these deaths may be from suicide (White and Johnson, 2003 cited in Austin, 2010).
At the same time, although it is a clear fact that suicide rate is higher among the Aboriginal population as compared to other Canadians, it must also be recognized that not every Aboriginal community in Canada experiences high rates of suicide (White and Jodoin, 2003 cited in Austin, 2010).
There exist marked differences that are able to be observed between provinces, regions and also between the various communities found in a similar geographical region.
For example, while carrying out study for British Columbia’s Aboriginal communities, Chandler and Lalonde (1998) established that some particular communities possessed suicide rates of about 800 times when compared to the national average whereas in other communities suicide rate was totally unknown by the people (cited in Austin, 2010).
Contributing factors to suicide among Aboriginal
Numerous factors have been identified and explained and the conclusion has been that, in one way or in multiple ways, the factors have contributed to suicide among the Aboriginal. For instance, Minore, Boone, Katt, and Kinch (1991) identify key factors, which they term to be internal to the individual and that have the ability to lad an individual to commit suicide.
These internal factors are categorized into four groups: inter-personal relationships, suicide specific experiences, cultural grounding and future anxiety (Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991).
Interpersonal relationships have to do largely with the individual’s family and peer friends and most young people claim that they commit suicide as a result of little or no communication between parents and children, children having feelings that they are not loved or wanted and also lack of experiencing quality love as a child, and stress as a result of failed relationships for the adolescents (Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991).
Suicidal specific experiences have also been identified whereby specific suicide experiences are believed to have strong effect particularly on the adolescents. These experiences manifest themselves as ‘a contagion factor’ where cluster patterns of deaths have occurred.
This is stimulated by unresolved bereavement or grief which may encourage adolescents to follow suit of their colleagues who commit suicide (Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991). The third factor has been associated with the level of cultural awareness especially among the adolescents.
What is evident is that there exist a wide age gap between the youth and elders among the Aboriginal communities and sadly, the elders are failing to transfer the wisdom of Aboriginal community to the young generation. As such, lack of connectedness to the Aboriginal culture and language is facilitating suicidal cases in the population (Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991).
The article by Edmonton Journal identifies that the rate of suicide is influenced by factors such as deteriorating and unsupportive economy coupled with unemployment, rampant use of drugs and alcohol, mental illness and sexual abuse (Edmonton Journal, 2007, p.1).
On their part, three authors Dorin, Kaltemback and Rahal (2007) observe that many Aboriginal people have found themselves trapped in a vicious circle of unemployment, poverty and low esteem, the paramount factors that encourage youth to destroy themselves.
Leenaars (1998) on his part conducts an extensive study of factors that lead to suicide deaths among the northerners of Canada who largely are Aboriginal and his findings indicate that the northerners of Canada are engaged in chronic self-destructive behaviors. The author identifies the Inuit adolescents as worst affected group in which suicide deaths takes place.
Further, the author categorizes the factors as psychobiological factors, life history or situational factors and the socio-economic factors (Leenaars, 1998, p.354).
Writing on the same topic, Irwin (1985) and Tsai (1989) identifies other key factors that contribute to suicide deaths among the Aboriginal such as: breakdown of cultural values and traditions, a lack of effective role models and leadership, the breakdown of the family unit, a lack of parenting and interpersonal skills, inability to express feelings, failure of the school system to address needs, unemployment, misuse of alcohol and loss of or blurred identity (cited in Leenaars, 1998).
Other studies by Armstrong et al. (1978) and Dacks (1981) identified the negative effects of ‘internal colonialism’ in the northern region of Canada. The position adopted by the researchers was that this kind of internal colonialism resulted into acculturation and dependency, and as a result, numerous social problems were being experiencing by the northern communities.
Such social problems include; high rates of criminal prosecutions and school drop-outs, high birth rates in Canada and rampant chronic depression, intense and unmanageable jealous, anger, and violence among most youths in the northern region. Such crude environment was portent to accelerate cases of suicides among the residents of the region (Leenaars, 1998).
O’Neil (1986) on his part did extensive study of the Init youth where he concluded that the source of stress among youth of this community have less to do with change only rather have to do more with political and economic structures with constraints individual and community efforts to establish meaningful and rewarding social environments (cited in Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991).
Further, the author noted that majority of the northerners generally internalize their frustrations and accept failure as the result of personal shortcomings. This tendency was the main factor in promoting lack of self-esteem among most youths that in turn led to cases of suicides.
O’Neil summarizes his findings by noting that, “in sum the suicide profile is personal: isolated individuals lacking in self-esteem, but it is also social: the result of cultures shattered on structural barriers” (Minore, Boone, Katt and Kinch, 1991, p.14).
Existing Policy structure to help the Aboriginal communities
Almost everybody in Canada acknowledges that there is an ‘epidemic’ as many Aboriginal youth succumb to suicide deaths. The Canadian government and other stakeholders have developed numerous policy frameworks with aim of addressing the issue of Aboriginal suicide deaths.
Currently, Royal Mounted Canadian Police (RCMP) has become one of the key institutions in Canada developing, facilitating, and influencing strategic priorities for the Aboriginal population (Royal Mounted Canadian Police, 2009).
RCMP has established close ties with Aboriginal communities where the organization is involved in providing policing services to the communities and the services have evolved to become culturally competent.
For instance, RCMP claims that, “we continue to influence public policy, provide policing services in hundreds of communities across Canada, and work closely with Aboriginal groups to develop innovative policing approaches that meet their distinctive needs” (Royal Mounted Canadian Police, 2009, p.1).
RCMP has an organ known as National Aboriginal Policing Services (NAPS) that has for time being involved in “planning, developing and managing the organization’s strategies and initiatives for working with Aboriginal communities” (Royal Mounted Canadian Police, 2009, p.1).
Some of the programs NAPS fosters include: “Aboriginal Youth Training Program; White Stone-Youth Aboriginal Advisory Committee; Aboriginal Perceptions Training; Inuit Perceptions Training; Community Profiles-online reports about the detachment activities in specific communities; Annual Performance Plans, which address an offense or negative social issue that concerns the community” (Royal Mounted Canadian Police, 2009,p.1).
White Stone program which is a national program trains Aboriginal youth in matters of care giving, suicide prevention and risk identification.
Although the above policy may form one of the success policy frameworks in addressing the issues of the Aboriginal, other past efforts to create policy for the communities failed. For example, Armitage, (1995) notes that for the last one, half century, Canada has applied European social policy to the people of Aboriginal, and consequently, most of the policies have failed.
To the author the social policies failed greatly to achieve any of the initial objectives of protection, assimilation and integration. The reasons for these failures include; assumption of racial superiority of the European, the attitude of the colonialist which largely became insensitive and imposed the policy without consultation.
Further the failure was due to inability of the professional practice to mould aboriginal children (Armitage, 1995). The author suggests that as a result of the failed social policies, there was need for the development of an alternative policy based on several principles.
First, Aboriginal culture to be recognized as possessing integrity and therefore to be respected; second, Aboriginal should be given freedom to enjoy the right to change and incorporate European ideas to their cultures; and finally, Aboriginal peoples have the right to the legal and material resources that are essential to guarantee alternative policies success (Armitage, 1995).
David et al. (n.d) discovered that most of the earlier policies paid attention to individual causation factors and therefore, the policy formulated in turn did not address the needs of the Aboriginal people. The authors proposed a holistic approach to the study of the Aboriginal people before coming up with a holistic approach to address their needs.
As such, the authors proposed the Intergenerational Trauma Model which has the ability to access the consequences of intergenerational trauma across four systems (David et al., n.d). The conviction of the authors was that less emphasis was paid by the government policies to the culture of the Aboriginal, how individuals in these communities interact with their caregivers, and how individuals interact with their birth communities.
The authors acknowledged the fact that most policy frameworks had recognized and proposed for culturally relevant and culturally congruent policies, little had been done to provide for a lifelong treatment models in a continuum-support approach (David et al., n.d).
The authors summarize their study by noting that policies that only focus on helping people meet their personal needs are likely in ineffective way address the underlying causes of problems experienced by the Aboriginal people.
Citing studies done by other researchers, the authors state that data on the rate of youth suicide in Aboriginal communities indicate a strong correlation between programs that promote positive self-image, well-being, and reduced suicides rates in the Aboriginal communities (David et al., n.d).
Therefore, the authors are convinced that it is a holistic approach with ability to reconstruct the links between the individual, family, community, and the Aboriginal nation, which can adequately address the suicide issue Among the Aboriginal (David et al., n.d).
Integrating Action research methodologies into Aboriginal policy
Action research, since its discovery, has been involved with practical issues; the kind of issues and problems, concerns and needs that arise as a routine part of activity in the real world (Winter and Munn-Giddings, 2001).
The practical orientation of action research has also meant that the research is largely aimed at changing things with guiding notion that research should not only be used to gain a better understanding of the problems which arise in everyday practice but should also have the capacity to alter things.
Kemshall and Littlechild (2000) observe that participation has become a key issue in the current social policy literature (cited in Lowes and Hulatt, 2005). Action research promotes service user involvement in research and often service user known as wider involvement is linked with emancipatory or empowerment research (Lowes and Hulatt, 2005).
Evans and Fisher (1999) observe that service users are the ones to be given the role of identifying the need for the research rather than joining in on research projects that have been identified already (cited in Lowes and Hulatt, 2005).
Generally, social research starts with open-ended inquiry where there are no already preconceived ideas and concepts, rather all the concerned people with interest in the program are incorporated here they identify the focus of the research (Lowes and Hulatt, 2005). The people participate in refining the objectives for the research, forming methods and also interpreting the data collected.
The essence of action research is to promote collaboration among the people affected and involved in the research process. In all its operation, action research operates on three main tenets: the agenda should be created and defined by those affected or with interest in the issue.
Research should be based on partnership between professional researchers and the affected groups, and lastly, the research should be based on recognition that all people possess the capacity to be creative and be part of creating change, hence need for collaboration (Lowes and Hulatt, 2005).
Re-inventing suicide policy for the Aboriginal communities
Numerous research and data exist on how effective suicide and other problems facing the Aboriginal communities of northern Canada can be approached. According to Warry (1998), an effective policy to address suicide among the Aboriginal communities should be designed with the goals of community development, cultural revitalization, improved economic opportunities, and the existence of Aboriginal political control.
Warry further observes that suicide among the Aboriginal communities can be viewed both in terms of metaphoric and symbolic (Warry, 1998) and the solution to this need be characterized by Aboriginal people being given time, resources and power to control their own lives and improve their communities. To achieve this, political will is necessary and a vision from Canadian leaders (Warry, 1998).
On their part, McCaslin and Boyer (2009) suggested that to realize an effective policy that has capacity to function, there should be an ongoing commitment and collaboration of community members, social health professionals and all levels of Canadian government.
The authors predict that, in the long-run culturally appropriate mechanisms will be the best way to resolve suicide deaths in the communities.
Chandler (1998), while suggesting on methods of preventing suicide in Aboriginal communities, he recommended that policy to address the issue should take into consideration the following key factors: land claims, self-government, education services, police and fire services, health services and cultural facilities (cited in Center for Suicide Prevention, 2003 ).
Warry, providing recommendations in his report of, ‘Choosing Life’, notes that for effective solution to the Aboriginal problems especially suicide, intervention strategies should be tailored-made based on three broad categories.
These include, the development of community-based crisis intervention; the sustained commitment to culturally appropriate, holistic health promotion; and long-term community healing strategies to improve the overall mental-health environment for Aboriginal children, youth and families (Warry, 1998).
From the above recommendations, it is clear that for an effective policy on suicide among the Aboriginal communities, there should be collaboration efforts between key stakeholders and action research is paramount. At the same time, recognition and respect of the Aboriginal cultures is necessary and lastly, empowerment of the Aboriginal people is necessary to guarantee any policy initiative success.
Guided by the immense literature and analysis of the numerous policy framework of Canada for the Aboriginal people, the following is a re-invented proposed policy that can be used to intervene in the issue of suicide among the Aboriginals.
Constructing Aboriginal worldviews
No policy initiative can take place and succeed without first having a clear worldview of the Aboriginal people. Worldview of any group of people affects their belief systems, decision making, assumptions and modes of problem solving (Ibrahim, 1984 cited in Kirmayer and Valaskakis, 2009).
LaFromboise, Trimble and Mohatt (1990) analyses the concept of worldview and suggest that, “knowledge of and respect for an Aboriginal worldview and value system which varies according to individual’s tribe, level of acculturation and other personal characteristics is fundamental not only for creating the trusting relationship of cooperation but also in helping and defining the intervention style or approach most appropriate for each individual” (cited in Kirmayer and Valaskakis, 2009, p.338).
Creating balance in the intervention program
An effective intervention policy among the Aboriginal people should be able to address the dimensions of the self, which include mental, physical, emotional and spiritual as equal parts of a larger whole (Kirmayer and Valaskakis, 2009).
When any of these is isolated then the whole program or policy will become dysfunctional. Balance is essential for the Aboriginal people since they view the world to be balance of transcendental forces, human beings and the natural environment.
Connectedness/involvement of the community
Aboriginals are in great capacity interconnected where the cultures of the communities is seen to be a series of relationships that start with the family (Kirmayer and Valaskakis, 2009). For the various problems prevalent in the communities, it has been suggested that the best place to create and implement programs to deal with such problems is in the community itself (Nelson and McCoy, 1992 cited in Kirmayer and Valaskakis, 2009).
Further, it has been observed that when externally designed systems and policies are imported to the communities they are likely to fail (Health Canada, 2003). Hence, there is need for community engagement where both the parents and the youth should be included in developing the appropriate policy, expounding values and also shaping the results of precedence issues (Health Canada, 2003).
Guarantee cultural stability
In essence, cultural stability involves the process of transmitting knowledge, values and identity from one generation to another in any particular community (Health Canada, 2003).
Transmission has to take place with a great sense and consideration of individual and collective health and wellbeing, belief with confidence in future whereby decisions made now have impact for the future as the culture of the people is concerned. The essence here is that, there should be a constant re-creation and re-invention of Aboriginal community practices in a way that respect, uphold, connect and honor the past.
Capacity building
Capacity building needs to be the ground upon which any meaningful policy operates. Capacity building should be enhanced and foster in order to improve the knowledge and skills of the Aboriginal communities so that in future the communities are able to tackle and find solution to the various problems affecting them (Health Canada, 2003).
The policy should ensure that youth are empowered in terms of learning and acquiring skills which they can use to resolve problems affecting them. At the same time, government role should be to provide key resources to facilitate the capacity building in different levels of the communities. Effective capacity building should be promoted in key areas of economy, education, governance, and health of the Aboriginal communities.
Conclusion
Suicide is a problem that continues to affect the Aboriginal communities of Northern Ontario. Various intervention measures have been designed with aim of helping families and other groups to deal with the issue, but as statistics continue to show, suicide is still an ‘epidemic’ in the region.
Aboriginal people are victims to cruel colonial system, isolation, discrimination and unfair justice but continue to find solace in their culture and religion. To effectively initiate and implant a policy that can address the issue of suicide, key stakeholders need to recognize the critical role of action research, which, apart from inquiring it has the ability to seek ‘relevant’ solution to key problems.
Further, effective policy framework will only work for the Aboriginal communities when the particular policy is able to address community involvement, empowerment, and decentralization of decision making organs, respect of the Aboriginal culture and promotion of collaboration.
McCaslin, W. D. and Boyer, Y. (2009). First Nations Communities at risk and in crisis: Justice and Security. Journal of Aboriginal Health. Web.
Minore, B., Boone, M., Katt, M. and Kinch, R. (1991). Looking in, Looking out: Coping with Adolescent suicide in the Cree and Ojibway Communities of Northern Ontario. Web.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Suicide: Suicide among Canada’s First Nations. Web.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (2009). Serving Canada’s Aboriginal People. Web.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Committee. Choosing Life: Special Report on Suicide among Aboriginal People. Web.
Warry, W. (1998). Unfinished dreams: community healing and the reality of aboriginal self-government. University of Toronto Press. Web.
Death, religion, and family may be three topics that closely link together, forming a bloc that remains interesting to researchers. The purpose of the article by Breault is analyzing the link between deathly tendencies and a person’s societal affiliations based on Emile Durkheim’s theory, which states that a person becomes more suicidal when unintegrated into a community (628). However, before recognizing the article’s scientific and personal influence, it is necessary to acknowledge its used methods and achieved results.
Research Questions
The article’s results may influence the recognition of the community’s role, propagating the supremacy humankind’s social nature over individualism. Thus, the article formulates a hypothesis that a person’s disassociation with a religious denomination and their divorced marital status are “determinants of suicide rates” (Breault 651). Breault poses multiple research questions to prove this hypothesis, such as questioning the link between a country’s high suicide rates and its agnosticism (630).
The study formulates another query regarding the influence of a person’s family on their desire for suicide, with lonely individuals being the most susceptible to death (Breault 633). Thus, the author tests the possibility of a correlation between chosen data and Durkheim’s theory.
Answering these questions may be possible using a correlational analysis applied to chosen statistical data. Breault uses these methods to analyze data between 1933 and 1980, taking into consideration religious affiliation, such as Catholic and non-Catholic, divorce rates, demographics, and income information (636). Thus, the inclusion of the latter allows controlling for hypothesis-independent variables and achieving results that relate solely to religion and marital status (Breault 634).
Additionally, Breault uses analysis of covariance and difference-of-means tests to account successfully for possible disparities within various means of religious identification (645). Therefore, the negative correlation found between a person’s suicide, religious affiliation, and married status may adequately support Durkheim’s theory.
Conclusion
Reading the assigned article allows not only attaining a level of knowledge regarding 20th-century suicidal tendencies but also recognizing the use of various research methods. However, while the implemented statistical tools support the claim that lonely, irreligious individuals are more likely to commit suicide, this approach does not provide an analysis of the person’s motives, despite controlling for outside influences. Thus, understanding the drawbacks of statistical and correlational methods of research, as well as their advantages, allows achieving a higher comprehension of scientific approaches.
Work Cited
Breault, Kevin D. “Suicide in America: A Test of Durkheim’s Theory of Religious and Family Integration, 1933-1980.” American Journal of Sociology, vol. 92, no. 3, 1986, pp. 628-656.
Plenty of people consider it sometimes quite difficult to understand others’ motives, intentions, and behaviors that lead to misunderstanding. The theory of the fundamental attribution asserts that in social situations, the following sequence is noted: a person observes the behavior of another person, makes a logical conclusion about the intentions of this person based on perceived actions and then assigns to him or her some hidden motives that are consistent with this behavior.
This paper proposes the study of the attribution theory in relation to suicide, focusing on the qualitative research method and young people as the target population. The random sampling method will be used to ensure that every respondent will have an equal opportunity to be involved in the study. NVivo version 10 will be applied to analyze the collected data.
Introduction
The fundamental attribution theory considers the effects of perception, through which people assess the behaviors of others. Behavior may be related to either internal causes or external ones, and it is not always clear which motives may drive a person’s actions and reactions. For example, a person may feel sick, and as a result, he or she may behave aggressively in a way that reflects the external cause. In the case where the person’s character lends itself to aggressive behavior, it is an internal cause. This paper will propose the importance of exploring the fundamental attribution theory with regard to suicide, providing a review of key concepts, a literature review, and a methodology for a future study.
Literature Review
Essentials of Fundamental Attribution Theory
The behavior of others and the inability to properly understand and adequately respond can often cause serious psychological problems. Lankford (2013) stated that internal causes are called dispositional attribution, while external ones compose situational attribution. Most often, people attribute the reasons for the behavior of other people to internal traits.
The search for the causes of others’ failures and bad behavior is usually attributed to features of their personality. If people are attractive and lucky, the reasons for their success are typically attributed to the favorable circumstances of the external environment (Funder, 2014). This is a fundamental attribution error (FAE). On the other hand, if a person experiences failure, he or she is inclined to align it with circumstances. If a person succeeds, he or she tends to consider it as a merit of his or her personality. This is the motivational error of attribution.
Bandura pays attention to the fact that people can also learn in the absence of external reinforcement yet as a result of observation, reading, or receiving information about the behavior of other people (the cognitive component) (Funder, 2014). As noted by Clinkenbeard (2012), the fundamental attribution theory assumes that “people judge situations through making attributions to three dimensions of the cause: locus (the cause is located internal vs. external), stability (if the cause changes during a period of time), and controllability (the level of control of the cause)” (p. 628). Moreover, the author asserted that people differ from each other in the way they assess the role of external and internal factors in their behavior. The internal factors are given more importance by the internalities, and external, by externalities.
Suicide and Attribution
Suicide is willful self-harm with a fatal outcome that is inherent exclusively in humans and occurs in all cultures, especially as a popular act of performance in some youth subcultures. People who decide to commit suicide usually suffer from severe mental pain and are in a state of stress caused by the impossibility of coping with their problems. According to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is one of the twenty key causes of mortality worldwide, taking the lives of one million people annually. At least one suicide occurs every forty seconds.
Schneidman, an American psychologist who is regarded as the pioneer of the contemporary theory of suicide, describes several of the most serious characteristics of suicide, as noted by Lankford (2013). This includes a feeling of unbearable heartache, a sense of isolation from society, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, and the view that death is the only way to solve all problems. Studies related to the manner of processing information by a person emphasize the role of so-called inflexible thinking (for example, life is terrible, and a reasonable alternative to it is death), which leads to the ostensible impossibility of working on solutions to problems.
Many studies have indicated that suicide symbolizes a cry for help as well as an effort to draw attention to an individual’s problems. Among the primary reasons that lead to suicidal behavior may be an unconstructive way out of a crisis. A lack of basic trust in the world, social pessimism, a negative attitude toward the surrounding world, the perception of the world as hostile, and inadequate perception of one’s relationships with others are the characteristic attributive features of suicide and suicidal ideation. In addition, expressing an extra-punitive style of causal attribution and internal monolog such as “you are all unworthy me” makes it possible to establish a connection between suicide and the fundamental attribution theory.
According to the sociological theory of suicide by Durkheim (2013), suicidal thoughts appear primarily as a result of the rupture of the interpersonal connections of an individual and subsequent alienation from the social group to which he or she belongs. According to this view, there are three main types of suicide. The first type reflects that many acts of suicide are selfish, and self-destruction in these cases occurs due to the fact that a person feels alienated and isolated from society: family, friends, or any other group. The second type, anomic suicide, is usually caused by a person’s failure to adapt to changes in society, leading to a disruption of the relationship between the individual and a social group.
The above type of suicide greatly increases during socio-economic crises but persists even during periods of social prosperity, when a rapid increase in well-being may cause the need to adapt to the new and the different from previous conditions of life. Durkheim (2013) identifies the last type of suicide as altruistic. This is suicide that is committed by a person in response to the authority of a society or group suppressing his or her own ego-identity, and he sacrifices himself or herself for the good of society or for the sake of some social, religious, or philosophical idea.
There is some evidence that the dissemination of facts regarding suicides of famous people can serve as a trigger for the suicides of others, especially among individuals aged between 13 to 21 years. Taking into account that young people have access to the internet and news portals, it becomes easy for them to learn about such suicides. In particular, it is important not to draw attention to news about a celebrity suicide in educational institutions; the alternative is to risk appearing to support suicide as a new, popular trend and an ordinary way to avoid problems.
The research questions to be answered in the proposed study are as follows:
Research Question 1. What are the key attributive points related to suicide?
Research Question 2. How is it possible to identify whether a person is prone to suicide, focusing on the fundamental attributive theory?
Based on the research questions, the hypothesis is that the level of awareness of the problem and attitudes of the population can significantly improve the current situation.
Methodology
The fundamental attribution error (FAE) tendency will be explored to identify suicidal ideation in young people. The study aims to focus on a structural-functional theoretical framework that was elaborated by Durkheim and helps in understanding the social system by explaining its important elements (Funder et al., 2014). Within the above framework, it is possible to describe why a person acts in a certain way or why people engage in certain relations and perform the actions they do. A researcher’s stance is to carefully specify all the concepts and tendencies and to relate the study results to the existing evidence. The true experimental study design will be used for the proposed research.
Sample
Considering that the proposed study aims at the assessment of the behaviors of young people, participants will include adults between 18 and 26 years who are interested in participating in the project. In particular, the participants are to be invited through a series of advertisements using social networks. Young people of differing gender, ethnicity, and culture will be interviewed regarding their approaches to explaining the so-called bad days. In general, it seems appropriate to interview approximately 60 people and that a smaller number of interviewees would contribute to erroneous findings.
The potential respondents will be offered the opportunity to join the study voluntarily. The participants will be asked to participate in individual 30-minute semi-structured video interviews revealing their perceptions regarding the theme. This will be performed via random sampling of online community members with the help of Skype software. The interviews will be digitally recorded using an audio device and then transcribed. The participants will be divided into two groups: control and experimental.
Data Collection
The data type to be collected to test the hypothesis will focus on demographic questionnaires and video interviews. The proposed study will use the simple random sampling technique for the purpose of identifying the number of interviewees to be included in the sample. The rationale for the choice of the simple random sampling technique is based on the fact that such an approach is suitable for ensuring inclusivity in the study sample. More to the point, Funder et al. (2014) claimed that the use of the random sampling technique is appropriate due to the fact that it provides study units and people with an equal chance of being involved in the study sample.
The reliability of the results will be ensured by the adequacy of the methods used, the representativeness of the sample, the mutual verification of the results obtained by different methods, and the statistical processing of the findings of the study. No personal information will be collected, either in written notes or on the audio recordings. Furthermore, no other data such as observations or artifacts will be taken from the participants. No deception of any kind will be used, and the participants will have full knowledge of the purpose of the research in advance.
Data Analysis
Data will be processed and organized properly to analyze the collected qualitative data. In particular, typical responses will be grouped according to the issues raised in the course of interviews. The data will be coded based on themes stated in the research questions. Data will be processed and organized using NVivo version 10, which helps to analyze qualitative data (Funder et al., 2014) and allows the researcher to group typical responses and discover themes raised in interview data.
The data analysis will help to specify possible changes and will either support or refute the anticipated outcomes that can be discussed with a reasonable degree of reliability. The findings of the proposed study will be interpreted and presented to readers, supported by all necessary comments, tables, and diagrams to create visibility and make the research more comprehensible.
Expected Results
It is expected that the prospective study would contribute to an increased awareness of the problem among the population and attract the attention of social agencies to the problem that, in turn, is likely to lead to the establishment of adequate measures and improvement of the current situation. The research questions are to be clearly answered and are expected to reveal what is being studied in detail. As for limitations, it should be noted that the fact the research includes a part of the online community cannot be overgeneralized to the whole country, yet some appropriate conclusions can be drawn, and some implications can be identified. In other words, the results of the study would be sufficient and credible enough to be generalized to the broader understanding of the problem.
References
Clinkenbeard, P. R. (2012). Motivation and gifted students: Implications of theory and research. Psychology in the Schools, 49(7), 622-630.
Durkheim, E. (2013). The rules of sociological method: Selected texts on sociology and its method. New York, NY: Free Press.
Funder, D. C. (2014). Weighing dispositional and situational factors in accounting for suicide terrorism. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 37(4), 367-368.
Funder, D. C., Levine, J. M., Mackie, D. M., Morf, C. C., Sansone, C., Vazire, S., & West, S. G. (2014). Improving the dependability of research in personality and social psychology: Recommendations for research and educational practice. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 18(1), 3-12.
Lankford, A. (2013). The myth of martyrdom: What really drives suicide bombers, rampage shooters, and other self-destructive killers. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.