Thoughts On Suicide - I

In China and Japan, suicide is traditionally viewed as a means of maintaining one's honor. It is an acceptable means to avoid bringing shame or dishonor upon an individuals family. It is often viewed as an honorable way to escape shame – especially because the repercussions of shame typically fall not merely on the individual, but to an immense degree upon the individuals extended family and even friends.

In North America, suicide is viewed as more of a misguided, tragic, and selfish act. It is often viewed as a a permanent solution to a temporary problem attempted by people who are in pain, mentally ill and in need of help. It is seen as taking the easy way out, and selfish because of the grief, confusion, and pain it causes in the loved ones left behind.

I think that is could also be considered selfish to wish to keep someone alive who would rather be dead but I think that the idea of suicide does only exist in the mentally ill and that the mentally ill are in need of medical help. I can understand the desire to unburden your family or feeling that the world would be better off without you but that the reality would be that suicide would cause such great pain and torment to those you love. On this topic, I really relate to either culture, but I lean more towards the North American view, possibly because I was brought up here.