Year: 2002 Source: Omega, v.46, no.2, (2002-2003), p.137-149 SIEC No: 20030548

The present study examined whether attitudes toward a person’s suicide are affected by the suicide’s gender or marital status, & whether the suicide is a parent or childless. It was found that female & male repondents differed in their attitudes toward a person’s suicidal behavior to some degree. A parent’s suicide was viewed more negatively than a suicide by a childless person. A tendency for respondents to express more respect for a suicide of their own gender was also detected. It is discussed whether differences in acceptance of suicide can be associated with actual suicide rates. (25 refs)