Politics, Media, and the Representation of Chinese Youth Suicide and Melancholy, 1930-1937
Abstract
In the 1930s, Chinese media extensively reported on youth suicides, commonly attributing them to patriotism, academic pressure, and economic hardship. Adult commentators overwhelmingly condemned these acts, prompting the Nationalist Government to intervene and restrict public discussion. An analysis of diverse youth responses in the media reveals that while most young commentators echoed official anti-suicide propaganda, some expressed empathy for their suicidal peers, thereby preserving a degree of emotional and moral agency under conditions of increasing social control. Explicit support for suicide was exceedingly rare, indicating the early effectiveness of state-led campaigns.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Chinese history and philosophy
History of Emotions Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cultural and Social History
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 391–411
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN