Almost daily, definitely weekly, there are cases of people committing suicide in Japan. The ages range from too young to old. Do not yet read into my saying "too young" and not simply "young". The first question is this because of it simply being more in the open, or is it that much more prevalent in Japan. It is news here when somebody commits suicide. In America it may be local news, ut unless they take other people out with them, it is not national news. In Japan, it definitely seems as more of a tragedy and a moment of reflection. Every death has meaning behind it, or cause. What is the failure that lead to it? This is highlighted when a school age person commits suicide.
Bullying is under the microscope. Largley because of how it can lead to suicide here. Lately, in America, it more so leads to rampages or attempted rampages. But, there is more of an outlet for the bullied. Japan is a trap in this regard. Once one is ostracized from ones peers, there are not many places one can turn to. There is little intermingling among groups, be it age groups, or social groups. The government, schools, and everybodies' first question is "Was he/she bullied at school?" Though, just by seeing the failure in a dead child, that is reflective of a society asking itself the big "Why?".
I must move away from young to old. It is definitely more cultural that suicides are more visible here. That was the noble way to atone for mistakes. Now it addresses mistakes, simple financial failures, and depression in general. Not to mention craziness and emotional instability. In such a semi-rigid society, few outs are presented. They are there, they must be.
What is the line? What does it look like? How do you walk away from it?
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1 comment:
why do u think there are more outlets for bullied kids in the states? i'm not sure there is.
suicide vs. rampage is likely a cultural phenomenon. (columbine effect in other areas of the country vs. suicide effect in japan)
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