Understanding Suicide: A Sociological Autopsy

Abstract

Ever since Durkheim's seminal work, the sociology of suicide has tended to focus on the analysis of suicide rates. Some may even argue that a concern with rates is the defining feature of the sociological approach. But like any other behavior, each suicide occurs in a particular time and place and responds to concrete social conditions, such as the loss of a job or a conflict between spouses. The great advantage of Understanding Suicide is that it goes beyond mere rates to discuss the immediate social context in which suicide occurs. Language: en