On the gender paradox in suicidology - a contemporary context

The discussion of suicides among the male and female part of the population cannot be reduced exclusively to the so-called suicidal paradox. Despite the fact that men are much more likely to die from suicide, and women make attempts more often, these differences are leveled out in different age groups. If we argue from the standpoint of suicidal behavior, including in this concept and thoughts, and plans, intentions, attempts, and actually suicide, the differences become even less noticeable. In various socio-cultural contexts, these differences are generally absent. Judging by many signs, the suicidality of women is greatly underestimated, and their lower mortality only masks the situation. When discussing such risk factors as mental health disorders, the role of stress, pain tolerance and many others, it must be admitted that in almost all cases it is difficult to separate the influence of biological and social factors, since they closely interact with each other. The increase in the economic activity of women in the second half of the last century in Western countries and their greater involvement in labor relations in general was accompanied by favorable shifts both among men and among women. However, the ultra-modern trends in the promotion of the concept of gender as a social sex, complementing (and in some cases denying) biological sex, as evidenced by the data, do not improve the indicators with suicidal behavior of both. The problem of sex and / or gender differences in suicidal behavior is far from resolved; numerous difficulties in interpretations and assessments make it very difficult to obtain an objective picture. Further research is needed, in different cultural contexts, taking into account age dynamics and social settings.