Why do you think 80% of suicides are male?

Question

Just came across this stat. I find it sort of shocking. I'm a guy and would have posted this in Men's Studies but we don't have one.

All I'm going to say is I went to a party last weekend and noticed how many guys were sitting around depressed. It was like the women were this unattainable thing and they all seemed to feel inadequate or otherwise bitter. My friend and I left but... I did know this crowd when we were all teenagers and we all seemed pretty happy.

But now it seems like the men and women of this town have split with the women's standards higher and the men more desperate. I remember leaving that party thinking, "A lot of those guys look like they are ready to kill themselves."

Then I read about how 8-out-of-10 suicides are male. I am inclined because of the two events being back to back to equate them, but am opneminded enough to realize there must be more factors than just availability of women behind male suicide... Why do you think so many more men do this?

Answer 1

to get away from WOMAN

Answer 2

I think, generally speaking, when women attempt suicide it's more a gesture than an absolute desire to die. Most of the time when men do it, they are much more serious and leave little room for error.

There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to one completion; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly
More women than men report a history of attempted suicide, with a gender ratio of 3:1

Answer 3

Men outnumber women when it comes to completed suicide, or successfully killing yourself from the attempt.

Women actually outnumber men when it comes to suicide attempts.


A variable that must be acknowledged when considering the gender difference in suicide is age.
Younger women and older men are the groups most likely to make an attempt. In other words, women are more likely to attempt when they are in their teens, and men are more likely to attempt when older.

Now, as far as why these differences exist, one major reason is that men and women vary greatly in the methods that they choose to attempt suicide.

Most common among women are taking pills, poisoning, cutting themselves.
Most common among men are shooting, jumping, hanging.

Well, the methods that women use are ones that are associated with higher survival rates. Methods that men choose have very low survival rates.

Men are simlpy more lethal when they attempt, and attempt in general at a later age.

Answer 4

This is just a guess:

For whatever reason, men feel they have to fix things. Not just the lawn mower, but intangible things, too. As you no doubt agree, it's a big world with a lot in it that could do with fixing. Maybe many men feel hopeless in the face of so many problems that need correction, and no real way to solve them.

Answer 5

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that women will talk to their friends about their feelings and men won't. Whether it's for fear of appearing "weak" or "gay", a woman is more likely to seek help for a problem.

Answer 6

When commiting suicide, men usually choose more immediate, aggressive forms such as a gun, hanging, etc... Women choose more passive forms such as pills or slitting wrists. The women have more of a chance of being discovered.

Answer 7

Well, here's something else kind of interesting -- more females attempt suicide than males. However, females tend to use drugs to try to do it, and then it is unsuccessful or someone finds them. Men use more violent means like a gun, so even though there are fewer men who attempt suicide, they are way more successful at it.

Answer 8

That stat is from one source,a nd another will refute it. There are many factors that need to be considered in determining the exact data you want to follow. Lobbying groups tend to put out stats that favor their position.


Know your source.

You get real answers here.

Answer 9

I heard it's because women tend to try less effective ways as oppose to men. Therefore they are less likely to succeed. Exemple: A man would you a gun to their heads, and a woman would cut her wrists.

Answer 10

Men's depression rate is higher, and men are socialized to keep their problems to themselves, and women are not.

Answer 11

Because women can only drive the other 20% to drinking.