The Sociology of Suicide in Hungary (IN: Current Research on Suicide and Parasuicide, ed. by S D Platt and N. Kreitman)

This chapter explains the sociological reasons for Hungary’s high suicide rate. Rates of suicide are provided, & examined by region, religion, family status, method, time of suicide, & sex. The author proposes numerous reasons for the high rate, for example: many famous Hungarians have committed suicide, creating romantic cults & legends; the weakening of communities after World War II (Durkheim’s anomie); & underdeveloped support networks. (VM)