Samoa - Samoan Culture

Hi Lucy,
Its good to find something on Samoa in the web. Your page has given me courage to share a concern that no doubt you are also familiar with, namely suicide.
Samoa has the highest suicide rate, 26 annually for a small population of less than 200,000. I have contacts with the Suicide Awareness Association Inc., an organisation made up of concerned lay folks a few psychologists and doctors, and they told me that they expect and recieve not a single sene from the government nor any other organisation to help them combat this tragedy for fear of strings attached. Australia which have a lower rate of suicide spend at least $A50 annually.
The saddest factor about this whole problem is what is percieved to be the cause. Tanielu Tuilagi, the president of the SAO Inc. said:
"Our finding on the suicide issue in Samoa:

1. Our culture has got a lot to do with it on these grounds

a. No answering back, whatever parents say you (sons and daughters) do it.

b. Even when son and daughter married, they are still under mum and dad's control. In other words-parents must agree to who you intend to marry.

c. Discipline implementation is very harsh & cruel.

2. Church: Samoa outlook of churches is very sacred, that creates fear of the uneducated mind plus lack of communication with someone, as a result = suicide

3. Transition in which clashes of outside knowledge coming into our island, and its cultural approach to every issue, becomes too big an issue to administrate bang! comes exitement, and a serarch for changes among young people, even the not so young.

So education and communication therefore becomes the priority in our work."
We adore our country and culture. However, there is clear evidence that we are facing a huge problem that needs to be addressed. It is a tragedy with devastating consequences and our Samoan pride tends to bring denial while young people and relatives of the victims of suicide are hurting.
This is a social problem and a bi-partisan and an inter-denominational effort and the community at large has to come to grips with reality before we can tackle this problem.
I do not know what you can do in your capacity and from where you reside. But I thought I'd share my frustrations with you. Hope you don't mind.
God bless.
Regards,
E.Erika
erika@smart.net.au
Reformatted: 4th May 2004

1.	Our culture has got a lot to do with it on these grounds
a.	No answering back, whatever parents say you (sons and daughters) do it.
b.	Even when son and daughter married, they are still under mum and dad's control. In other words-parents must agree to who you intend to marry.
c.	Discipline implementation is very harsh & cruel.
2.	Church: Samoa outlook of churches is very sacred, that creates fear of the uneducated mind plus lack of communication with someone, as a result = suicide
3.	Transition in which clashes of outside knowledge coming into our island, and its cultural approach to every issue, becomes too big an issue to administrate bang! comes exitement, and a serarch for changes among young people, even the not so young.