The Social and Family Context of Aboriginal Self-Harmful Behaviour in Remote Australia

The author examines the social & historical context of suicide in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Drawing from data generated by a survey of a stratified random sample of Aborigines, the rapidly changing environment of childhood is discussed, with particular attention to the structural & functional changes in caretaking roles. The inter-cultural context of these, as yet, largely intra-cultural manifestations of disadvantage, are emphasized. (33 refs.)