• Introduction
This section introduces the study; it discusses what the paper would entail giving a brief description of what is contained in the contents of the research paper. Among the issues, it tackles are the incidences of suicide that have been on the rise with much blame on this trend being directed on social, societal problems. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the year 2010, there were 38, 364 deaths that were as a result of suicides; roughly 105 deaths daily (CDC, 2012). This project will investigate the relationship between suicides and social problems. In essence, the research attempts to answer the question of whether social problems are the main contributor to incidences of suicides and whether solutions to these social problems can reduce the rates of suicides.
• Research Question
The research question is: Do social problems lead to suicides and if so, does solving social problems reduce rates of suicides, as well?
• Literature Review
This section presents an analysis of literature on the topic suicide and Social problems. It compares ideas of different authors on the topic. Specifically, it will analyze writings by Rigby & Slee (2010) who present data suicide incidences among adolescent children that are due to social problems related to bullying. It compares these to ideas presented by Meyer (2007) who investigated social problems that gay, lesbian and bisexuals face that result into incidences of suicide among individuals of these minority groups. Further, the discussion also delves into the symptoms that are characteristic of suicidal individuals. In this regard literature furthered by D’Zurilla, Chang, Nottingham & Faccini (1998) would provide much needed information that would aid in the comprehension of signs such as hopelessness and depression in contributing to instances of suicide.
Moreover, a review of the literature compares the ideas above with other literature that propose contrary ideologies with regard to suicide rates and social problems. Particularly, the literature will discuss ideas by Halvorsen, Stern, Dalgard, Thoresen, Bjertness and Lien (2011) who propose that suicidal incidences increase among individuals with Acne. Eventually, the review presents literature on measures that can be adopted to check against instances of suicides as well as address social problems. On this note literature advanced by Brook (2013) on surviving suicide as a social problem, are as well discussed.
The literature review compares and contrasts ideas from the aforementioned literary works. The review provides much needed knowledge on the topic that would prove useful in the compilation of the final research project. Furthermore, the review would reveal loopholes in prior research that can be addressed through the conduction of this study.
• Data and Methods
The data used to compile this project will mainly comprise of secondary sources. These Incorporate books, journals, articles and web sources. The literature will be analyzed and data collected presented as one package in the form of the final report.
• Theory
This section of the paper relates sociological theories to the topic under study in an attempt to understand the social factors that contribute to the problem in question. More so, the theoretical framework also presents suggestions for solutions to the problem at hand. The Functionalist Theory, Symbolism Interaction Theory, and the Social Conflict theory will be discussed. The Functionalist Theory advances that society is dependent on its components where failure in one result in disorder (Anderson & Taylor, 2009) while the Symbolic Interaction Theory that proposes that society is based on interpretations. These interpretations are definitions of situations during interactions with one another in a sense defining behavior of the individual and society at large (Anderson & Taylor, 2009). Lastly, the Social Conflicts Theory denotes that the social stress between controllers and owners of resources results in a system in which those with power and money have control over those without and exercise their authority on them (Anderson & Taylor, 2009).
This section analyses the three theories and provides evidence that the Symbolic Interaction theorem is best placed to explain the issues regarding the topic on suicide and social problems. Centrally, the section will compare the contributions of the three theories to the topic providing justification for the selection of Symbolic Interaction model as the best theory to explain the phenomena.
• Conclusion
This section of the paper will summarize the issues brought out in the body of the text. It will generalize the information contained in the analysis of literature taking a decisive stand on the issue that is supported by evidence developed in the body of the text. The section will also present the position and or opinion of the researcher regarding the issues presented. In addition, the section will also present suggestions for further research in the future as well as recommendations for addressing suicidal incidences, as well as social problems. These recommendations will prove essential for lawmakers, parents, institutions and society at large in charting a way to deal with the rates of suicides and the effects of social problems on their society.
References
Anderson , M. L., & Taylor, H. F. (2009). sociology: The Essentials. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth.
Brook, D. (2013, October 22). Suicide: Surviving a Soial Problem. Tikkun Daily. Retrieved 3 1, 2014, from Tikkun Daily: http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/2013/10/22/suicide/
CDC. (2012). Suicide Facts at a Glance. Retrieved 3 1, 2014, from Injury Center: Violence Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/suicide_datasheet.html
D'Zurrilla, T. J., Chang, E. C., Nottingham, E. J., & Faccini, L. (1998). Social problem-solving deficits and hoplessness, depression, and suicidal risk in college students and psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1091-1107. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097
Halvorsen, J. A., Stern, R. S., Dalagard, F., Thorsen, M., Bjertness, E., & Lien, L. (2011). suicidal Ideation, Mental Health Problems, and Social Impairement Are Increased in Adolescents with Acne: A Population-Based Study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 131, 363-370. doi:10.1038/jid.2010.264
Meyer, L. H. (2003). Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence. Psychol. Bull., 129(5), 674-697. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674
Rigby , K., & Slee, P. (1999). Suicidal Ideation among Adolescent school children, involvement in Bully-Victim Problems, and Perceived Social Support. Suicidal and Life-Threatening Behaviour, 119-130. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.1999.tb01050.x
