A Study of Suicide in Rural China

This book identifies and analyzes the significant regional differences in suicide rates of various age groups and different sexes among Chinese rural residents. It goes beyond the analytic dichotomy in traditional Western suicide studies and argues that the phenomena of suicide among Chinese farmers are the result of a combination of social structure and social action, rather than being determined by either of these two factors alone. This study analyses suicide rates among young married women in rural areas as well as those of elderly people in rural areas. The responsive trend for the near future is also projected. The underlying dynamics and causal mechanisms of these phenomena are carefully analyzed using an innovative structure action theory framework.

Takes lead in analyzing suicides in rural China from a sociological perspective Maps the age and geographical distribution of different suicide rate among Chinese rural population Forecasts future changes in suicide rates among various groups of rural China and analyzes underlying causes

Auteur

Yanwu Liu, PhD in Sociology, is associate professor in the School of Sociology, Wuhan University. His main research interests are farmer suicide, single men in rural China, rural governance, marriage and family among the rural population.

Contenu
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Farmer Suicide in a Tight-knit Society.- Chapter 3: Farmer Suicide in a Loose-knit Society.- Chapter 4: Farmer Suicide in an Individualistic Society.- Chapter 5: Conclusion.