Cause And Effect Essay On Homelessness

For instance, a study published in 2009 discusses the importance of understanding the different aspects of this population in order to effectively help end youth homelessness. The study notes that are two typical forms of youth homelessness: children living in homeless families and unaccompanied youth. The first group, children living in homeless families, is essentially children who “live in families without a home” (Aratani, 2009, p. 4). Unaccompanied youth, then include those who are runaways, throwaways, and independent youth who have no contact with their family. Additionally, there is a multitude of factors that have been known to contribute to homelessness.

Know Thyself, an article by John D. Mayer, features the thoughts of Shelley Taylor and Susan Fiske. Fiske and Taylor explain that it is often challenging to understand others when we have preconceived notions and stereotypes about people before we get to know them (77). Homeless people are often considered social outcasts. And because they are outcasts, do we not understand them very well?

In 2014, at the end date of the goals point-in-time count showed that there were still 49,933 homeless veterans, which is a 33% drop in the population since the start of the action plan. Yet today there is still a huge population left on the streets. However, since 2009, the program as sheltered close to 200,000 veterans (O’Toole), but many still lack permanent housing. Federal funding to house homeless people must at least have some level of priority to veterans and those who fight for our country, rather than a pooling and housing people who were homeless because they spent too much on drugs or those who never contributed to society. Next, the mental health, as well as physical, must be taken into account to make sure everyone is being treated and cared for adequately.

The subject of homelessness is not universally discussed in society because many people are either ignorant or unwilling to get involved to help. Although it is taboo, every day people are faced with or see homelessness. Many times driving under freeway passes or through highly populated cities, the homeless population can be seen everywhere. California has the densest homeless population in the United States, which is Skid Row in Los Angeles. In the state of California, the effects of homelessness continue to be an ongoing challenge for not only citizens but law enforcement and elected officials.

There are more than 500,000 homeless people in America (Johnson). There are many reasons and causes for people to end up living this way, but the biggest cause is tragic life events, for like loss of loved ones, job loss, domestic violence, divorce, and family disputes. Other reasons for homelessness are depression, untreated mental illness, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and physical disabilities ("Top Causes of Homelessness in America."). Many people see homelessness as a bad thing and an issue, but it does serve a purpose in society. Homelessness can be seen in many different ways.

Unfortunately, homelessness is still a major issue in many American cities. The issues that lead to this circumstance could include anything from substance abuse, disabilities or mental illness. The Glass Castle explores several causes and effects of homelessness. More specifically, Jeanette discusses how poverty can prevent someone from affording basic necessities.

Untreated mental illness is dangerous and over time we have learned that locking people with a mental illness is not the solution but makes it worse. People with untreated mental illness face many consequences. “People with untreated psychiatric illnesses comprise 250,000 people, of the total homeless population” (mentalillnesspolicy.org). The quality of life for these individuals is extremely heart breaking, and many are victimized regularly.

Individuals who have experienced homelessness before and sometimes many times are referred to as the “marginally or episodically homeless”. As a result they require a range of more intensive services and support for both adults and children. They may alternate between the shelters or streets and friends, family or independent living, often perceived as having mental health or substance-abuse issues and relying on other homeless people rather than family members. While they may accept concrete assistance, they may not be able to find housing and require a long-term commitment of time and resources to assist them in reestablishing themselves as participating members of the community. By adapting social roles that do not demand high levels of personal functioning, they have adjusted to periodic homelessness.

Homelessness and Functionalism      The social problem that I chose was homelessness. Homelessness has increased by 8% since 2011-2012 to more than 225,000 people in 2014-15 and in 2011 censers 105,237 people where homeless.   As also the unemployment rate and the domestic violence rate which both are increasing as well as these are some of the big factors . The biggest reason homelessness is  domestic violence.

Teenage suicide, in other words, youth suicide has not been a new issue in modern life nowadays. This matter has become a tragedy over the world, a burden for both governments and families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15-24 years old, after accidents and homicide. The statistics of CDC estimates that at least 25 attempts are made for every completed teen suicide. From the number of deaths and the serious of consequences, not only authorities but also parents, siblings and friends take actions to prevent and help young people.

Events such as death, being wounded can mentally shut a person down, research has shown that traumatic events such as this caused veterans to end up homeless. Veteran affairs which are known as VA have treated more than 230,000 patients for serious mental illness such Bipolar Disorder and many patients have died about 13 to 18 years younger than the regular population Davis, C. L. (2012). There was a study for veteran participants for mood disorders (CIVIC-MD), and the purpose of the study was to identify amend individuals and treatment factors connected to harmful outcomes with Bipolar Disorder Copeland, L. A. (2009). Homelessness in VA patients with Bipolar were reported 12% and 55% in a lifetime, in an analysis there were current medication was freely associated with lower risk of lifetime homelessness (odds ratio [OR] = 0.80 per point range 0-4; 95% confidence level interval [CI]= 0.66, 0.96) Bipolar is caused by homelessness in

Within their social circle, the life expectancy differs greatly from the general population, dying at much younger ages. While the life expectancy is 80 years for women and 74 years for men in the housed population, that is changed to 43 and 47 years in the homeless population, respectively (Parker-Radford, 2016). Within the homeless youth, many are escaping circumstances or living environments where they were subject to physical or sexual abuse. They may even exchange sex for food, clothing, and shelter, which increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or unintended pregnancy. Many homeless youth also are at increased risk of physical or sexual assault after leaving their homes, which in turn is not limited to only poor households, but is also inclusive of socioeconomic backgrounds.

Thousands of people would not benefit from outpatient treatment and often found themselves under-employed, homeless, victims of crime, in nursing homes, in residential treatment homes, in a correctional facility, and more likely to suffer from substance abuse disorders. These compounding factors are the foundation of the phenomenon called “Criminalization of the Mental Ill.” People with a serious mental illness are more likely to be arrested, incarcerated, and sentenced to more time than those not suffering from a mental illness. Contrary to stereotypes, people with a serious mental illness are more likely to be a victim of a crime. Even if the concept of diverting potential clients to alternative community programs was created at the inception of deinstitutionalization, it was not implemented into the criminal justice system until 1988 when the first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was developed. The Memphis Police Department developed the program after one of its officers shot and killed a man who suffered from a mental illness.

As mentioned Vulnerable populations are categorized in many sub-segment and face with numerous challenges. For instance, the homeless population is one of the subgroup of vulnerable populations that facing tremendous economic and health conditions. It is estimated 564,708 people are homeless in the United States, and many of these homeless are youth under 18 years of age (Housing and Urban Development, 2016). Because of their leaving condition and precarious behavior of some homeless individual, they are at risk for poor health status. They are more susceptible to various diseases like skin infection, pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV.

The crisis of homelessness among veterans has attracted the attention of political and economic officials for over 25 years (Thomas & Bridier, 2013). The homeless population in the U.S is 7% and it is estimated that a staggering 13 % of that population represents homeless veterans (Thomas & Bridier, 2013). Even though we know it exist, there remains a need to evaluate why homelessness is increasing? It is equally important to note that many veterans are slipping through the cracks because they don’t meet the imposed criteria of being homeless, given that they do not have prior addiction issues nor service related physical or behavioral issues to be eligible for emergency housing (Thomas & Bridier, 2013). Since 1993, there is a group called CHALENG (Community Homeless Assessment Local Education and Networking Groups), which is a government mandated program that was formed to join the forces with the VA and community agencies.