How social factors can affect your views on death and dying

Culture can affect if an individual fears or accepts death.

Take America V Mexico. Most Americans view death as a sad and scary event for the still living. They bury their loved ones, and grieve for a long period of time until they are forgotten. Hospitals and retirement homes tend to be the end of the line. Families are almost expected to send off their elderly when they can't take care of them anymore.

Mexico has the day of the dead, where they celebrate their loved ones who have passed. It is a festive event, full of life. Families tend to take care of their older relatives, and it is less common to see them go to retirement homes.

Other social factors can include age. Children don't really think of death as a permanent thing that happens. Young adults may be more aware of death, but they do not attribute it as something that can happen to them. Middle age may worry more about their children or family members and what may happen to them. The elderly tend to already accept what will happen eventually. Many older people feel as though they have lived a full life, so they don't have as many fears of death.