Socialization, Firearms, and Suicide

Gender and Suicide Method: Do Women Avoid Facial Disfiguration?

“…This study found that almost all males raised in a home where a gun was present reported they were familiar with guns, but significantly fewer women raised in gunowning households reported being familiar with firearms, although this varied by region (Marks and Stokes 1976). These regional variations in firearm familiarity are reflected in firearm suicide data that find firearm suicide rates for both men and women are highest in regions where gun ownership is also highest (Kaplan and Geling 1998).…”

“…The second perspective suggests that women are less likely than men to use firearms to suicide because they are less likely to own a gun (as has been found in Australia (Klieve et al 2009) and the US (Smith and Smith 1995)), and because they are less familiar with firearms (Marks and Stokes 1976). As such, they would not only be less likely than men to use firearms to suicide, but they also might not be successful should they use one.…”

Violent death in a metropolitan county: II. Changing patterns in suicides (1959-1974).

“…In times of stress, the gun provides a ready solution to personal problems. 26 Females, on the other hand, have had more frequent exposure to prescribed drugs through their greater use of medical services.24 Women in our society have drugs prescribed for them approximately three times more frequently than males.27 Many drugs, of course, are relatively slow acting and allow time for intervention in a suicidal attempt.…”

“…A recent study reports that males are introduced to guns more frequently and earlier than females, usually by a member of the family, most often the father. 26 The gun is the most lethal of weapons. In a homicidal attack it is four times more likely to wound mortally than the next most lethal mode, cutting and piercing instruments.…”

“…Rates for teenage and young adult white males (15-24 years) in the city rose 90 per cent (from 8.9 to 16.9) and those in the suburbs increased 34 per cent (from 9.3 to 12.5). However, rates for white males age 65-74 in the city decreased 13 per cent (from 56.8 to 49.7), and those for older white males in the suburbs dropped 26 per cent (from 39.9 to 29.4).…”