Suicide, Sex and Morality (in no particular order)
December 13, 2010
by Anna Lemberger
Dr. Arthur Kleinman of Harvard University wrapped up the Center’s lecture series this semester with an overview of his collaborative research in his forthcoming, co-authored book, “Deep China: Remaking the Moral Person in China Today.” The talk once again took place in Curtin Hall 175 this Friday, December 10 at 3:30pm and was followed by a lovely reception of cheese, crackers, and wine. I was extremely excited to discover the topic of today was China considering recent controversies surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize.
Entering the lecture hall I was immediately struck by the fact that it was 100 degrees and smelled strongly of vapor rub. On the plus side, I now know where all of the hot air is being redirected and why I have to wear a jacket in all of my other Curtin classes. Luckily, things got more comfortable and I was able to settle in to what was a very accessible and interesting lecture about China from the standpoint of Medical Anthropology—Kleinman’s field of study. Kleinman’s research and writings focus on the enormous changes that have occurred in China over the recent decades, particularly moral changes. Kleinman and his colleagues have also noticed an increased individualism which has turned their focus toward the perceptual, emotional and moral experiences of this shift. A psychology student I talked with after the lecture found the elements of self-help emerging among the Chinese to be most interesting.
Kleinman gave a brief overview of the different chapters and articles in the book coming out, but there were certainly a few that stuck out more than others. As an employee for the Health Promotion office on campus, I was especially drawn to the sections most obviously about health. One chapter examined the Sexual Revolution in China as a result of the one-child rule. Sex shops saw an increase in women shoppers and people began to realize the importance of pleasure for women and men. On a more serious note, I found the chapter “Suicide, a Modern Problem in China” both interesting and distressing. Fact: young rural women in China have the highest rate of suicide in the nation (and the world? I can’t remember). Most of the acts are very impulsive and come from a sense of injustice in their public and private lives rather than a mental disorder. In many cases the women consume pesticides and are unable to receive care in time. What may have been just a cry for help–an “attempted suicide” in the United States–ends as a tragically completed suicide in China. It certainly makes me realize how privileged I am to have access to health care and of the great, free services to students on campus at Norris.
Dr. Kleinman delivered a very thorough argument and balanced view of China, which I very much appreciated. It’s a tough subject which he handled well and which brought out some interesting discussions in the Q&A. This was definitely a great end to a fascinating lecture series.
