My real-life situation is an article by CNN, which discusses the decision made by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, to appoint minister Sakamoto as the minister of loneliness, with the hope of combating the rising suicidal rates. As Japan saw more people die from suicide in October than from Covid-19 in all of 2020, the government is worried about the causes of the previous statistics and to which extent are responsible for them. And the consequences that might come with loneliness, like heart disease, dementia, and eating disorders.
This real-life situation, links to human sciences, most specifically psychology and sociology. As the knowledge produced by looking for the solution to this tragedy can be understood as an outcome of the government decisions and changes during lockdown (sociology). Or as a regrettable coincidence in the lives of these individuals (a psychological phenomenon). It also links to politics, since they are trying to fix this social problem legally and structurally.
Leading me to ask the knowledge question, ”How can we know the extent to which suicide is a sociological or psychological phenomenon”. This is an incredibly important question to answer since the response will explain if the problem is fixable throughout the world by creating and reframing the laws, restrictions, structures of organization, and economic systems. Or if all of the suicides are an outcome of different misfortunate events, happening in individuals' lives. However, the information and causes of death may vary according to the perspective used.
Emile Durkheim (functionalist sociologist), claims suicide is a sociological phenomenon caused by “social constraint” (which states that suicide is caused by some power that is over (above) the individual). An example that suggests this is true in Greece which has 5 suicides per 100,000 people and has great social/economical policies and public education. Proposing that the cause is proportional to the rigidness of an environment. However, clinical psychologists have connected self-isolation with cognitive/ physiological decline. More specifically, a decrease in serotonin, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Furthermore, some people may conclude that both perspectives are causes.
This situation indicates how what is usually blamed on our psychology, should be blamed on the lack of attention given by the government. There is no easy or certain way to answer this question because the complete truth might be both or other perspectives. But the magnitude and power which the government has is greatly more than what is perceived.
Tok journal by Abril. B
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