| Summary: | Suicide and suicidal attempts have increased over the years and the phenomenon
is rapidly increasing countrywide. The rate in increase has not been happe•ning
only internationally, but has unsettlingly noted to be rising in South Africa, too.
Suicidal attempt has become one of the biggest social problems amongst the
youths, and a problem that society has to grapple with.
According to the media and statistics presented, the youth engage with destructive
behavior and attempted suicide is rampant amongst Black adolescents. The
young person imitates his peers and is constantly under pressure to do as the
group does. Thus conformity and acceptance are the core words. The adolescent
attempts suicide to solve problems. Various reasons are given for suicidal
attempts and the youth names amongst others family problems, academic issues,
relationship problems and so forth.
In the attempt to take own life. different methods are used to commit suicide which
range from overdosage, especially amongst females, to ingestion of harmful
substances like bleach (clothes detergent) and hair products. Amongst males,
more drastic actions in method of attempting suicide are used like hanging,
gunshot and jumping from high places like bridges and buildings. There are also
instances of self-inflicted burning (immolation) in some cases.
Black youths have been found in recent years to engage in suicide and suicidal
tendencies, whereas in previous years the tendency was almost non-existent.
This calls for an investigation in Black adolescents' way of life and specifically in
what their needs are. The latter is drawn from the profile presented; a task which
was not easy as there exist little or no literature in this regard. This study should
thus be seen as a precursor for further and more comprehensive and exclusive
research especially on the social functioning of Blacks and their communities, in
general. The results should be used to have sustainable school programmes
aimed at the youth in general, but specifically those at risk and displaying
destructive behaviour. === PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
|
|---|
