Year: 1972 Source: American Journal of Diseases in Children, v.123, no.6, (June 1972), p.527-532 SIEC No: 20030034

Views of causes, images, & finality of death of 598 children, ages 5 to 18 years, were obtained by structured interview at churches, schools, & clinics. The “why” of death was most affected by socioeconomic status; death as due to violence was seen most often by clinic children. The idea of what happens to the body after death was rarely terrifying, but more realism was tolerated for pets than for self. By ages 13 to 16, 20% still thought that when dead they would be cognizant, 60% envisioned spiritual continuation, & 20% saw death as total cessation. Those with frequent thoughts of suicide most often denied death as final. Increasing age & religious training extended children’s view of life beyond simple existence, but only one of 598 considered its import to be biosocial immortality. (21 refs)