Mortal math

A 15-year old boy from Negros Occidental province south of the capital city of Manila, Philippines, hanged himself after he failed his Math subject. A report said his parents were supposed to fix his clearance at school the day the boy took his life, and they were, I guess, expecting their son to have passed the subject.
It's always a tragedy when a young teen takes his life. In the face of such a sad ending to what could be a long, fruitful and most likely productive life, I'm always reminded of what my teachers told me in high school: always keep things in perspective. The fear of disappointing our loved ones is always a terrifying thought, at least for me. It is a constant, although some people tend to go to extremes in dealing with the fear.
The agriculture minister of Japan committed suicide a few days ago over allegations of improprieties. I suppose it was the fear of dishonor that drove him to end his life.
It is a talent to be able to put fear, disappointment and shame in perspective. While an old Japanese bureaucrat may be forgiven for keeping up with tradition and cultural practice, a 15-year old boy hanging himself over Math is a gruesome reminder, at least for Filipinos, that we must put all matters in perspective.
That is how we survive the day-to-day madness.