Durkheimian Theories Applied to Buffalo Creek

In this article I will explain the concept of social integration and social / ethical norms of Emile Durchem and explain how Durchem combines them with suicide. Then use these concepts to analyze the social impact of the Buffalo Creek flood, as explained in Kai T. Erikson's book "Everything is in the Direction", which explains the high suicide rate. Other results than others. Durkheim's concept of social integration refers to a social group with well-defined values, traditions, norms and goals.

To understand how the concept of Durkheim is applied to the disaster of Buffalo Creek, you first need to understand something about Buffalo Creek in West Virginia. Prior to the 1972 earthquake, Buffalo Creek was a typical coal mine community with about 5,000 people. This situation has changed over the years, the population rising and falling with the periodic coal boom and the population actually increased to two to three times the current size of 1972. Most of people going in and out are temporary shortly after work. However, among the people who left there are people living throughout the life, and "There are more young people growing in this area" (23) The reasons they leave are the reasons for all young people leaving this type of community Is the same. Therefore, before the flood on February 26, 1972, residents of Buffalo Creek received a very high level of social integration and social supervision.

On February 26, 1972, the coffee mine community of Buffalo Creek, West Virginia suffered a disaster. "Reservoir" - in practice the dam - was built as a treatment plant for slag and on the central fork of Creek as a narrow place to clean the 4,000 tons needed to clean 4,000 tons of water Part of gallons, and theoretically purify coal every day. The 26th session at 7:59 am. The dam collapsed and 132 million gallons of black water roared in the sky. It began as a "mud wave", picked up the building along the way, turned into a "striking ram" of railroad cramping and rides, and sometimes 20 feet high, killed 132 people. 7 bodies were not found, 3 children had to fill in anonymously because they broke. Some people say that they can not distinguish one another from their bodies with no head.