March 11, 2014
Suicide rates rising among the elderly in prosperous Asian countries.
"The past decade has seen astonishing spikes in the rate of Asians over
65 choosing to end their lives early, particularly in the region's
economically successful countries."
The article notes that this trend does not seem to apply to all countries evenly.
"By contrast, the rate remains both stable and far lower in less-developed countries, such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam."
The article holds out several possible reasons for the trend. The shrinking family, the lack of connection to community, SARS and other widespread diseases, etc. I don't see too much that is different from other countries - including the U.S. that would explain the difference between Western countries and East and South eats Asian countries.
I do think there might be a greater effect on the diminished role of families. Our break with the crucial presence a cohesive family unit has likely been going on longer and perhaps more slowly than other parts of the world. whether you blame politics or economics. Distance in miles or in generational attitudes, the family unit is much less important now than it was in our even recent past. Perhaps this is happening more quickly and with greater impact in Asian countries?
Is there a greater reluctance to be a burden on our younger generation? In my youth there were many houses that held multiple generations under one roof. It was understood that you took care of your elders when it was time. Houses were often divided between two and three stories, with different generations of the same family living on each floor.
Now more families are moving further apart from each other. The technology that keeps us connected electronically makes us feel better being disconnected locally. That doesn't help when you need someone downstairs when they are downtown. Is this separation greater in Asian countries or communities?
It does feel that we are less connected to our loved ones in general. That "family" does not carry the weight (and burden) that it once had. I'm happy to be in the same general area as my kids today, but as I look at the costs associated with retirement in this New England blue state, I will need to contemplate a less expensive area to which I will live out my days.
I hope I never get to the point where I feel ending it all early is the best solution I come up with.
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The article notes that this trend does not seem to apply to all countries evenly.
"By contrast, the rate remains both stable and far lower in less-developed countries, such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam."
The article holds out several possible reasons for the trend. The shrinking family, the lack of connection to community, SARS and other widespread diseases, etc. I don't see too much that is different from other countries - including the U.S. that would explain the difference between Western countries and East and South eats Asian countries.
I do think there might be a greater effect on the diminished role of families. Our break with the crucial presence a cohesive family unit has likely been going on longer and perhaps more slowly than other parts of the world. whether you blame politics or economics. Distance in miles or in generational attitudes, the family unit is much less important now than it was in our even recent past. Perhaps this is happening more quickly and with greater impact in Asian countries?
Is there a greater reluctance to be a burden on our younger generation? In my youth there were many houses that held multiple generations under one roof. It was understood that you took care of your elders when it was time. Houses were often divided between two and three stories, with different generations of the same family living on each floor.
Now more families are moving further apart from each other. The technology that keeps us connected electronically makes us feel better being disconnected locally. That doesn't help when you need someone downstairs when they are downtown. Is this separation greater in Asian countries or communities?
It does feel that we are less connected to our loved ones in general. That "family" does not carry the weight (and burden) that it once had. I'm happy to be in the same general area as my kids today, but as I look at the costs associated with retirement in this New England blue state, I will need to contemplate a less expensive area to which I will live out my days.
I hope I never get to the point where I feel ending it all early is the best solution I come up with.
Posted by: topmaker at
07:07 PM
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1
You seem to be implying that there's some kind of a problem here.
Posted by: Pete Zaitcev at March 12, 2014 02:48 AM (RqRa5)
2
More of a concern, Pete.
People own their lives, for the most part. If they want to stop taking up space, that;s their business.
My issue is that a tight family unity, where the old took care in raising up the young, and the young returned the favor when their parents or grandparents need the help had strong benefits in so many more ways than just the nuclear family. We are getting away from that more and more. Change never happens in a vacuum. For all the good being able to reach across the world in a heartbeat is, the intimacy of the small community tends to suffer for it.
People own their lives, for the most part. If they want to stop taking up space, that;s their business.
My issue is that a tight family unity, where the old took care in raising up the young, and the young returned the favor when their parents or grandparents need the help had strong benefits in so many more ways than just the nuclear family. We are getting away from that more and more. Change never happens in a vacuum. For all the good being able to reach across the world in a heartbeat is, the intimacy of the small community tends to suffer for it.
Posted by: topmaker at March 13, 2014 05:41 PM (i0rVe)
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