Deindustrialization, Disadvantage and Suicide Among Young Black Males

Social Forces, Vol. 84, pp. 1559-1579, 2006

21 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2012

See all articles by Charis E. Kubrin

Charis E. Kubrin

University of California, Irvine

Tim Wadsworth

University of Colorado at Boulder

Stephanie DiPietro

University of Missouri at Saint Louis

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

Wilson’s deindustrialization thesis has been the focus of much recent research. This study is the first to empirically test his thesis as it relates to suicide among young black males, which has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Using 1998-2001 Mortality Multiple Cause-of-Death Records and 2000 census data, we examine the influence of concentrated disadvantage on suicide among young black males across U.S. cities. After establishing its role in shaping suicide rates, we explore the extent to which industrial composition (the outcome of deindustrialization) affects concentrated disadvantage in urban communities. We perform similar analyses for whites to compare and contrast explanatory processes. Our findings show that while disadvantage is related to suicide for young black and white males, industrial composition only influences the structural covariates of suicide among blacks. These findings demonstrate the ability ofWilson’s thesis to help explain a pressing social problem – rising rates of young black male suicide.

Keywords: deindustrialization, suicide, integration, cities

Suggested Citation

Kubrin, Charis and Wadsworth, Tim and DiPietro, Stephanie, Deindustrialization, Disadvantage and Suicide Among Young Black Males (2006). Social Forces, Vol. 84, pp. 1559-1579, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2028163

Charis Kubrin (Contact Author)

University of California, Irvine ( email )

Department of Criminiology, Law and Society
Social Ecology II, Rm 3379
Irvine, CA 62697-3125
United States

Tim Wadsworth

University of Colorado at Boulder ( email )

1070 Edinboro Drive
Boulder, CO 80309
United States

Stephanie DiPietro

University of Missouri at Saint Louis ( email )

1 University Blvd.
St Louis, MO 63121
United States

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