17 Pct. at 2 Schools Practice Self-Abuse (Cornell and Princeton)

ABC News & AP ^ | June 5, 2006 | LINDSEY TANNER

[bd476]

From the article:

"...Author of the 2004 book "No More Pain: Breaking the Silence of Self-Injury," Duffy recalled being stopped on the street by a 70-year-old woman who saw her scarred arms and said, 'I used to do that.'..."

The increase in numbers might represent group-think, maybe even mob psychology.

In either case, it's a tragedy for kids from middle school through college.

[flaglady47]

Princess Di was a self-cutter, and also had eating disorders.

[Jeff Chandler]

17 Pct. at 2 Schools Practice Self-Abuse

With the euphemistic meaning of that phrase, the percentage would be higher.

[bd476]

That's right, I recall hearing something about that.

I wonder though how many got the wrong impression that if Princess Di could do it and survive, then they could, too.

The 70s singer Karen Carpenter died from complications of her eating disorder.

[AlaskaErik]

What a bunch of idiots. There are more effective ways of dealing with stress. When I was in college I didn't have time to be stressed...I was too busy working and studying, since I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

[Hacksaw]

Hmmmm. I used to get really drunk. These nutty kids, what will they think of next....

[Looking4Truth]

Gosh, I must be getting old. I remember when self-abuse was nothing but 'whacking'. :->

[bd476]

Acknowledging your comment with a polite 1/2 smile aka painful grimace.

Quick calculations based on the article stating that 17% of 2,875 Cornell and Princeton students who took the survey and had reported that they had purposely injured themselves, equals 489 self-injuring students.

That's a tragedy in my book.

[Jeff Chandler]

I don't believe the 17% figure. One in six? This is another bogus survey.

[Slings and Arrows]

I don't believe the 17% figure. One in six? This is another bogus survey.

I agree. Given the typical college-student mentality, a survey like this must have been seen as G-d's gift for their amusement.

[PAMadMax]

I am a self-mutilator....

Have cuts on hand from Dewalt Recip. Saw cutting conduit, bruises from hammer, Cut from cable knife...

Oh, they do it intentionally and not while working?

</sarcasm off>

[Slings and Arrows]

An ignorant person will see my scars and think I am a self-mutilator. A wise person will see my scars and know I am a cat owner.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Aren't tattoos and body piercing a form of self-abuse? 17% seems low to me.

[bd476]

Maybe it's time for you to emulate Roosevelt Grier and take up a safe hobby.

[bd476]

Eeeee, you just reminded me of those wretched looking tongue piercings. Every time I see someone with a silver ornament lanced into their tongue, the hair on the back of my neck goes on high alert.

[metesky]

I too have plenty of good ones, the best being the nice 8" cut through the thigh muscle from when the saw's blade guard failed to return.

But let's face it, a life-time in construction is self-abuse!
;O)

[mo]

"....I don't believe the 17% figure. One in six? This is another bogus survey.......somebody trolling for a research grant...just MHO!!

[Robert A Cook PE]

But are these liberals at these national colleges = our "elite"?

[Pharmboy]

Insightful comment--esp. the piercings. I believe it is guilt they feel...about what, who knows?

[Junior]

"Self Abuse" means something other than the author of this piece thinks, and the percentages of practitioners are much, much higher.