Historical and Cross-Cultural Perspective (IN: Suicide and Self-Damaging Behavior: a Sociobiological Perspective)

This chapter details suicidal behaviour throughout history. The author asserts that suicide has been seen since the beginning of recorded time, & across all cultures. Suicide rates are provided for immigrants. Changes in suicide rates since 1910 are given for 20 Western countries, & methods of suicide are broken down by race & sex. The author also outlines modern ethnic, racial & cultural differences in suicide rates. (VM)