Citation

Gargas S. Am. J. Sociol. 1932; 37(5): 697-713.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1932, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/215852

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In comparison with other countries, the member of suicides in the Netherlands is very small, the rate being the lowest among all the countries of old commercial and industrial culture. The most significant fact is that the rural suicide rate is higher than that for the urban population, probably accounted for by the peculiar conditions of the Dutch farming system under which the aged find themselves a burden, whereas in the city custom requires better treatment of old people. The greater number of Dutch suicides are above eighty years of age. Among women the number is less than among men, but from 1890 to 1927 the differences steadily decreased. Except for the year 1919 married suicides constantly exceed the unmarried and widowed. According to occupation, the greatest number is in the category of laborers; agrarians are next, with many unknown and unclassified. Protestant suicides are much more numerous than Catholic, but the rate among Jews is highest. Melancholy is the chief assigned cause of suicide, insanity the second. During the economic crisis of 1923 financial difficulties were active factors. Since 1916, particularly during 1918-22, hanging has predominated over other means, drowning being second. The figures are too little differentiated to give a further sociological analysis of means.