David Emilie Durkheim was a French sociologist whose work
created a revolution in the field of sociology. Emilie Durkheim's
theories attempted to explain the structure and function of
society. Durkheim's work 'On suicide' is a classic text of case
study which attempts to explain the in depth social causes of
suicide.
Egoistic suicide is a typology used by durkheim which states
that a person commits suicide as they don't feel a sense of
belonging with the society. Weak or very little social bonds are
present with the society. Factors that might promote such suicide
with respect to US military are:
- Veterans are away from the conventional society, familial bonds
for a long period of time. This creates a lack of integration or
low integration within the society for the veterans at war.
- Because of this they lack a sense of belonging with the
society. Important events of the family are unattended.
- A sense of meaninglessness, depression and loneliness can occur
because of a lack of integration within the society.
- All these interlinked factors thus lead to egoistic
suicide.
Altruistic suicide:
- Altruistic suicide occurs when there is a high integration
within the society(for the veterans the high number of goals and
expectations that they are supposed to fulfill on the war front)
but individual needs are considered unimportant.
- This leads to a feeling of overwhelm within the veterans
coupled with a sense of lack of individualisation, as the
individual becomes more nd more unreal to him.
- Thus this sense of overwhelm, sadness along with a sense of
duty to die.
- This suicide occurs at the least of dissapointments such as
refusal for leave, punishment, lack of promotion etc.
Anomic suicide:
- Atomic suicide occurs in situation of sudden social and
economic upheaval leasing to individual's normal confusion as well
as lack of social direction.
- Regulation is lacking in this case.
- In US military this can occur when there is a sudden promotion
or vacation and the veteran is expected to be home for longer
periods of time.
- Suddenly the individual feels a lack of direction and is unable
to cope up with the sudden change.
- Thus a constant state of dissapointment occurs which can lead
to suicide.