Write a 12 page essay on Mothers of Suicide Sons.Download file to see previous pages... Historically, African Americans have a lower rate of suicide attempts than their Caucasian counterparts do. A re

Write a 12 page essay on Mothers of Suicide Sons.

Historically, African Americans have a lower rate of suicide attempts than their Caucasian counterparts do. A report released by the CDC in the year 2000 showed that suicide rates among African American males were 5.8 per 100,000 (Green, 2012). While African American women attempt more suicides, the completion of suicide is more likely in men. In researching suicide among this group, it is important to view it via a cultural and socio-historic manner. With reference to oppression suffered by African Americans throughout history, they tend to downplay suicidal thinking and depressive symptoms. Early socialization experiences that African Americans go through preparing them for the confrontation with various challenges arising from the country’s racialized history. Strength is usually invoked in these experiences as a way for them to cope with these challenges. Suicide, therefore, is in opposition to the notion captured by this strength. Strength, in this context, means limitless endurance of hardship. African American women have learned to portray a facade of “keeping the family together” and, as such, the insinuation that her son or younger brother’s life was unbearable is hurting. Their characterization as nurturers implies that they are expected to be partially responsible for the decisions of their children. Suicide challenges this notion by hinting at deeply unmet needs (Green, 2012). A study was conducted to examine the current suicide rates among African American males as a sort of erosion over three centuries of individual self-preservation and communal strength (Poussaint &amp. Alexander, 2000). It was discovered that most women view suicide as an attempt by the young male to find respite or rest. In a culture, where women utilize the SBW paradigm of invulnerability and feigning control, dealing with these suicides has profound effects on their psychological life. While the current psychological literature researching suicides among African Americans is far and between, pieces of literature on the psychology of African American women concerning suicide are even scanter (Blazer et al, 1994). However, some studies have attempted to examine protective and risk factors for suicide among young black males with maternal influence. In another study, while examining suicidal tendencies and ideations among African American, males from single mother families with cocaine addictions came up with several factors including poor psychological well-being, substance abuse, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Researchers found that African American women with suicidal tendencies have children with low self-esteem, mental health disorders, emotional or sexual abuse, and low levels of social support (Klein et al, 2006). In the process geared towards finding a reason for the lower rates of major psychological effects of suicide on African American women, some researchers began investigations into protective factors present to protect this population from adverse effects of suicide by males under their care.