<p>I’m a Chinese American, and I can admit that I have seriously contemplated suicide–have attempted it before, actually. (Although I would never choose to burn myself to death…o.O That’s just inviting unnecessary pain, and it’s not even fail-safe.)</p>
<p>My parents, though, have always been very supportive. I don’t think I’ve been scolded or reprimanded for anything academic since at least four or five years ago, and my family environment is fairly low-pressure for me. I’ve discussed my depression/etc. with my counselor and my parents, and my parents have offered to take me to a therapist or psychologist on several occasions. My mom has even said that it would be “okay” if I failed out of college. </p>
<p>So at least in my specific case, I’d say that it isn’t accurate to lay the blame at the parents’ and culture’s feet. Depression and suicide seem to usually be an internal/dispositional problem for high-achievers, and I don’t think that high standards are necessarily responsible. After all, high standards and the idea of bringing honor to the family…those are in the lives of many, many Asian Americans. The majority, though, can “withstand” this with little problem. It’s only in combination with a volatile or self-deprecating mentality that the high standards create the pressures that push students too far.</p>
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<p>@ThomasJefferson - I sincerely hope you never say that to a suicidal person; it’s incredibly insensitive. There are most definitely reasons for people to want to kill themselves–that’s why it happens. When certain dispositions and circumstances collide, hopelessness and desperation are almost natural results. It takes unusual strength of mind and strength of will to pull yourself out of those situations. Besides, people have a right to their own lives–to both live it and end it, whatever their choice may be.</p>