Page 108 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought

notes description and analysis itself. His view is that through zoological, psychological and geographic
factors and causes sociological analysis of suicide cannot be done. Durkheim has also accepted that
on the basis of personal targets of person committing suicide this work of his may be explained. In
the same manner on the basis of geographical factors or worries, fears, poverty, unsuccessful love etc
also we may not analyse suicide. In this manner Durkheim has told that for suicide only social factors
may be held responsible for. Durkheim has written that suicide is a social factor, which is why suicide
should be explained also as a social factor only. Clarifying this thought, Durkheim has written that,
“relation of suicide with some stages of social atmosphere is as direct and stable as its relation with
Zoology and geographic is seen as unclear and indefinite.”
Whatever study of suicide Durkheim has done on the basis of statistical data, through them attributes
of this theory of Durkheim is made clear. As per Durkheim, below mentioned are the attributes of
the theory of suicide:
1. Rate of suicide is almost same each year.
2. As compared to winters, rate of suicide is higher in summers.
3. As compared to men, suicide is found more in women.
4. As compared to young, more suicide is found in elders.
5. As compared to citizens, suicide is found among the soldiers.
6. As compared to Catholics, more suicide is found among the Protestants.
7. As compared to married, more suicide is found in lonely, unmarried, widows, widowers,
and divorcees.
8. Among married, more suicide is found among the childless people as compared to those
with children.
9. Main causes of suicide are of social nature.
On the basis of these inferences Durkheim has told that for these high circumstances externally
psychological and geographic factors seem to be responsible. But actually only social factors may
be considered responsible for these. On his analysis of various incidents of suicide, Durkheim has
divided suicide in three major parts.

self assessment

fill in the blanks
1. From the view of ______the popular causes of suicide, Durkheim has thought broadly.
2. Firstly, Durkheim has presented his thoughts on factors of _________
3. In this ______ of his Durkheim has further thought over suicide and geographical factors.

types of suicide

As per Durkheim following are the types of suicide:
1. egoistic suicide: Under egoistic suicide, a person because of social severance and increase in it
becomes ready for self destruction. Meaning of social severance is that when a person as reducing
opportunities for social contacts, social cohabiting and union. When people are compelled to live a
cloistered life then they do self destruction. Its proof is found in the inferences of Durkheim. It is told
in these that as compare to married people, suicide is found more among the lonely, unmarried or
divorcees. Because among them there is a reduction in social contact and they are severed from the
family groups. On the other hand married have the closeness of their wives and children. Severance

102 LoVeLY professionaL uniVersitY