"Suicide: A Study in Sociology" (Emile Durkheim)

"Suicide: A Study in Sociology" by Émile Durkheim explores how social factors influence individual decisions to end their lives. Durkheim analyzed different types of suicide and found that social integration (the strength of bonds between individuals and society) and social regulation (the rules governing behavior) significantly impact suicide rates. For example, low social integration can lead to feelings of isolation, increasing the risk of egoistic suicide, while excessive regulation may cause fatalism. His work emphasizes that suicide is not just a personal act but also shaped by societal context, highlighting the importance of social cohesion and norms.