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4
Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation Suicide
Debate Score:6
Arguments:7
Total Votes:6
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 Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation (2)
 
 Suicide (4)

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Liber(1730) pic



Teenage Boy Found Hanged in Closet: Cause of Death?

This is an hypothetical scenario (though indubitably based on reality): a sixteen year old boy is found dead in his closet; a tie is wrapped around his neck and hanging from the pole upon which he hangs his clothes. How did he die? Was it intentional, or sexual?

Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation

Side Score: 2
VS.

Suicide

Side Score: 4
1 point

A suicide would involve a forceful tug on the tie which has been tied to the pole in the closet.

Inevitably the sudden forceful weight of a 16 year old male, even a small one, would cause either the knots in the tie to come loose, the tie to stretch so his knees touched the ground, or the pole itself to brake. If not the initial force, because of the ensuing spasms and jerking of this type of suicide, something would give and the 16-year old would again breath involuntarily at the least even if his goal were suicide.

Erotic asphyxiation on the other hand would be a slow process, one which if done often may have encouraged the youth to push himself further and further to achieve desired result. The slow process could leave all parts intact (tie, knots in tie, pole), allowing him to unknowingly slip into unconsciousness without the kicking and spasms of the other scenario, and without the capacity to loosen himself.

This was obviously a failed attempt at masturbation.

Side: Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation
iamdavidh(4856) Clarified
1 point

Ah. Forgot.

Circumstance, while not in itself proof, sheds some light on the likely motivation as well.

Why choose the closet if the goal is suicide?

Even should the 16-year old prefer hanging over other methods, there are far better places than a closet and far better materials than a tie. If he truly wanted to die, would he not pick a more sure method? If he did not truly want to die but was seeking attention, it would have been somewhere public.

A closet provides a private setting more fitting for masterbation than suicide. A tie handier and more comfortable for a quick jerk, but not a great tool for suicide.

Side: Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation
1 point

Statistically speaking suicide is the more likely cause. The other factors would be a note if any is found, fully clothed, home-life, and any statements from friends. So to answer your question it's going to depend on what they find during the investigation.

Side: Suicide
Liber(1730) Disputed
1 point

Statistically speaking suicide is the more likely cause.

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

If such deaths by hanging are regarded as being suicidal, when in actuality they are auto-erotic, the statistics will be wrong.

The other factors would be a note if any is found, fully clothed, home-life, and any statements from friends.

None of which prove conclusively the precise motivation behind the death.

Side: Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation
Bohemian(3860) Disputed
1 point

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

If such deaths by hanging are regarded as being suicidal, when in actuality they are auto-erotic, the statistics will be wrong.

...IF, being the critical word here. Supposing something is wrong is not the same as it actually being wrong. Your argument presents no compelling reason as to why we should believe that these statistics are all wildly inaccurate. Simply stating that something could be the case, does not an argument make.

None of which prove conclusively the precise motivation behind the death.

Do those who auto-erotically asphyxiate themselves have a habit of leaving suicide notes?

Side: Suicide
1 point

He probabaly hid in their and hung himself. Might be related to school.

Side: Suicide
1 point

it sounds like it could have been a cry for help, maybe hoping someone would find him in time. or maybe it was him wanting his life to end. why did noone read between the lines of this tragic story, its very sad he felt this was the only solution to the problem. he could have had girlfriend problems, no girl is worth killing yourself over. maybe not his money problems too young. bullying from school, more support is needed for teenagers. parent problems, phone child line seek outside help. why do things like this happen, the world people let him down. this world has become self obsorbed, not paying attention to the finer details of ones heartache. godbless be at peace with yourself..

Side: Suicide