The Paradox of Education and Suicide
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| The Paradox of Education and Suicide |
The burden
Higher education levels are strongly associated with professions that carry the highest statistical risk for suicide. Psychiatrists, physicians, and lawyers are noted for having particularly elevated rates. Among physicians specifically, suicide is the leading cause of death for those under the age of 40.
This vulnerability is even more pronounced among female doctors; in Switzerland, the life expectancy for female physicians is ten years shorter than that of the general female population, primarily due to self-destruction. These professionals often possess the pharmacological knowledge and easy access to lethal means that ensure a successful, albeit tragic, “final exit.”
The Theory of Externalized Blame
A compelling sociological explanation for the higher risk among the educated and affluent is the theory of externalization of blame. This hypothesis suggests that individuals who have an outside source to blame for their misery—such as social or economic oppression—tend to respond with outward rage or homicide.
Conversely, those in higher socio-economic and educated brackets often lack an external target for their unhappiness. In the absence of an outside source to blame, these individuals are more likely to turn their anger inward, resulting in deep depression and suicide. This contributes to the observation that wealthy countries with comprehensive welfare systems, such as Sweden and Denmark, often have much higher suicide rates than poorer nations like Mexico or Greece.
Egoistic Suicide and Social Isolation
Education can also be linked to what sociologist Emile Durkheim termed “egoistic” suicide. This occurs when a person lacks sufficient involvement with their society, leading to a state of extreme individualism. High-status individuals, particularly men, often find their identity in competitive roles such as business or sports.
When these individuals age and face the “accumulation of losses”—including health, social status, and professional standing—the fall from these heights is more profound and isolating. While women are often better at maintaining social and family contacts into old age, highly educated or career-focused men may find themselves without a support network, increasing the appeal of a final exit.
The Calculation of the “Final Exit”
Finally, the educated are more likely to approach the end of life with a degree of medical pragmatism. The sources note that individuals with higher awareness of the medical system often calculate “quality of life” metrics to determine when it has “dropped below zero.”
These individuals are more likely to seek out information on “self-deliverance” to avoid the perceived indignity of physical or mental decay. This rationalization, combined with the technical knowledge of how to bypass the body’s natural defenses, turns the “blessing” of an education into a tool for the ultimate act of self-determination.
