The sociological study of suicide has suffered from a lack of knowledge about women in society. Data regarding women's participation in the labor force and in marriage have been lacking, overlooked, poorly analyzed statistically, and misunderstood. When data on women have not reflected suicide theory based on male rates, female suicide has been treated as if it were a deviant kind of suicide behavior. Suicide theory has been distorted by this general lack of knowledge, as can be shown by a review of major works in the sociology of suicide. However, now that a better understanding of women is available to theorists, including more sophisticated knowledge about the socialization of women and the status of women in the work force and in marriage, it is possible to gain new insights into the suicidal behavior of women. This should further theortical understanding of all suicide behavior. (Author)