Posted by mair on November 13, 2003, at 7:29:10
In reply to Re: Los Benzos in Mexico and Andrew Solomon, posted by Destroyo on November 13, 2003, at 0:46:09
"Having said that, I honestly believe that it is quite literally true, that an increased propensity to suicide facilitated by easy access to such a method, would quite possibly stir radical and mostly positive changes in our corrupt society, despite the inevitable suicidal tradgedies."
Don't you think this is a bit attenuated? If those of us with lousy jobs and mental illnesses, don't more frequently "off" ourselves, then why do you think it would happen in greater numbers with people with lousy jobs and no mental illnesses, all just because suicide became more easily attainable and painless? Do you think large numbers of people with guns don't commit suicide because it's messy? I mean it certainly is pretty foolproof, and god knows, we do seem to love our guns in the US. In fact I think Solomon quotes some statistics which indicate that suicide is much more prevalent in households with guns than those without and I'm sure it isn't just those impulsive adolescents grabbing for them either.
Maybe Impulsive suicides (a type recognized by Solomon) is primarily the perview of the young. I don't think you can generalize too much however. I am not an adolescent; I am the mother of adolescents. I know I'm quite a bit older than Solomon and I'd lay good odds that I'm quite a bit older than you. I still believe most of us are courting trouble if we make the means and methodology of suicide readily available.
Mair
poster:mair
thread:279044
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031113/msgs/279308.html