Perhaps, however, the information contained in an article in today's Times entitled "Suicide Rates Rise Sharply in U.S." (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/health/suicide-rate-rises-sharply-in-us.html) by Tara Parker-Pope is more relevant and poignant. As reported by this article:
"From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 rose by nearly 30 percent, to 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people, up from 13.7. Although suicide rates are growing among both middle-aged men and women, far more men take their own lives. The suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000.
The most pronounced increases were seen among men in their 50s, a group in which suicide rates jumped by nearly 50 percent, to about 30 per 100,000. For women, the largest increase was seen in those ages 60 to 64, among whom rates increased by nearly 60 percent, to 7.0 per 100,000.
. . . .
Preliminary research at Rutgers suggests that the risk for suicide is unlikely to abate for future generations. Changes in marriage, social isolation and family roles mean many of the pressures faced by baby boomers will continue in the next generation, Dr. Phillips [an associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University] said."
Confidence among the middle-aged? Shattered.
Millions of us lost our careers at 50 due to endemic age discrimination that no one in politics will even discuss.
ReplyDeleteI read the Reuters report on this, which did NOT divert attention from the lost jobs reason - looks like the NYT did their usual spin to make it about anything but the missing jobs.
I stopped caring more than a year ago (my last job was Jan 5, 2001 but I kept trying for six more years, two more degrees, five business plans, all for naught), and not surprised at all by the rise in suicides. There would be a lot more if people were not afraid they would fail at that as well.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, which I have quoted in my latest blog entry.
DeleteThis is a very important issue, but the answer is complex.
ReplyDeleteWhat is obvious that there has been silence, particularly absurd in the so called liberal media.
What should have been addressed:
- disappearance of labor protection - it was always weak in America, but since the 1970s it has been in decline. Some 7% of unionized employees in private sector is barbaric. People died for a civilized workweek, the promise of computer was .. a short work week and again a civilized life, but ... look where we are now. When someone works 70 hours a week, it means that someone else is unemployed.
- corporate corruption/destruction of societies. When corporate values invade every aspect of life, there is a problem. No, humans aren't just robots, but the corporate thinking reduces them to this role, and corporatism promotes "reduced" humans who meet corporate demands: produce, march singing "strategic planing, team working, positivity." Anyone who is unable or unwilling to become a zombie, is automatically out.
- Fascist veneration of youth, strength and beauty and absolute contempt for humanity in humans. Absolute reversal of traditional approach - respect for the elderly, their wisdom, accumulated experience. Not every elderly is wise of course, but some are so - well beyond what smiling, assertive, aggressive, marching youth can offer. When a society tells the young "You are good, the older are of no values," expect the problems. One shouldn't follow the path of Hitler Jugend, Pavlik Morozov, or Red guards.
- Sadly, the boomers were instrumental in these developments. They undermined what was valuable in traditional societies in many ways - by idiotic babbling about religion, and child rearing, by focusing on THEIR precious bodies and precious bodies only while babbling demagogically about love of everyone and everything and totally ignoring societal problems.
I can continue forever, but I stop here.
absolutely spot on. you should continue, if not forever, than at least book length. i'm an ex-counseling psychologist who realized that 'therapy' was art of the problem. i hope you and other kindreds will email me. in solidarity there is hope. thanks! jeffreysh@earthlink.net
DeleteAh, I have to add at least one more thing - MURDERING of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteWhen I came to this country and heard American professors proudly announcing that they didn't give knowledge, but were teaching how to think, I knew what would happen. I had no doubt that empty thinking heads don't exist. I was right.
It was this thinking that led to the removal of highly educated, competent and dedicated professionals from American non-profits and replacing them ignorant and cynical "managers." When only transferable skills matter, such as firm handshake and ability to "squeeze," then you can move a manager around - one day he manages a steel plant, another - he manages a museum.
We see the consequences. Total demoralization of societies, and for many a way out is a suicide.
It's heart-wrenching to hear their personal stories first hand. Read more about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com/