1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910818894603321

Autore

Weaver John C

Titolo

Sorrows of a century : interpreting suicide in New Zealand, 1900-2000 / / John C. Weaver

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Montreal [Quebec] ; ; Kingston [Ontario] : , : McGill-Queen's University Press

Wellington, New Zealand : , : Bridget Williams Books, , [2014]

©2014

Beaconsfield, Quebec : , : Canadian Electronic Library, , 2014

ISBN

0-7735-8996-1

0-7735-8995-3

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (470 p.)

Collana

McGill-Queen's/Associated Medical Services studies in the history of medicine, health, and society ; ; 40

Disciplina

362.28099309

Soggetti

Suicide - New Zealand - History - 20th century

Suicide - Social aspects - New Zealand - History - 20th century

Suicide - Economic aspects - New Zealand - History - 20th century

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction -- Long-Term Perspectives: Chronology, Gender, Life-Course, Ethnicity, and Method -- Relationships: Sex, Alcohol, and Violence, 1900-80 -- Dark Days and Golden Weather: Despair and Work, 1900-80 -- Life Diminished: Illness and Trauma, 1900-2000 -- Mental Illnesses: Representation and Therapy, 1900-2000 -- The Youth Suicide Panic: Framing a Mental Health Crisis, 1988-96 -- What Is Happening to Our Children? Youth Suicides, 1980-2000 -- Decisions: Impulse and Reason in Historical Time, 1900-2000 -- Conclusion: History's Patterns and Prevention's Obstacles -- Appendix One: Methodology -- Appendix Two: Writing Style Notes.

Sommario/riassunto

In Sorrows of a Century, John Weaver describes how personal relationships, work, poverty, war, illness, and legal troubles have driven thousands to despair. His study is set in twentieth-century New Zealand where - in spite of high standards of living and a commitment to social welfare - citizens have experienced the profound losses and



stresses of the human condition. Focusing on New Zealand because it has the most comprehensive and accessible coroners' records, Weaver analyzes a staggering amount of information to determine the social and cultural factors that contribute to suicide rates. He examines the country's investigations into sudden deaths, places them within the context of major events and societal changes, and turns to witnesses' statements, suicide notes, and medical records to remark on prevention strategies. His extensive survey of twelve thousand cases also provides an insightful assessment of psychiatry and psychology in the last century. In reviewing the motives and methods of suicide, Weaver points out the complications facing deterrence. Moving beyond the timeless present of the social sciences and the irrationality emphasized in psychology, Sorrows of a Century marshals testimony to highlight the historical context and rational conduct behind suicide.