Social Problem Of Homelessness

The problem of homelessness in the U.S.A. has to primary sociological theories that deal with homelessness. The first is the Conflict theory, which states that there are two opposing groups. In this case the homeless, and the wealthy. The wealthy use their power to exploit the homeless. This does imply that the wealthy are directly linked, however there is a little more nuance to the situation. For one there is a very large income gap, the wealthy have their income increase continuously, whereas the average pay for a minimum wage job can’t even support one person living alone. An example would be Sydney and her son Peter, she wasn’t paid enough by her job in Texas to ever save money, so when she lost her job, she lost her house. Not to mention

Homelessness is a struggle that most people don’t know, or that people ignore because they frown on homeless people. These people frown on homeless people because the homeless are often unshaven ruff looking people that had a bad turn in life, this life changing event that turned them into what some people frown upon. These people are frowned upon by so many but the people that frown upon them have no idea what their going through.

Homelessness is one the most ignored problems in the United States with citizen and politician. Homeless people are walked by and ignored. Nobody ever thinks that they will be homeless. Due to the economy, people live paycheck to paycheck making house payments very difficult. Most people will want to believe most homeless people are drug addicts or alcoholics, but most people will be surprise to know that it is no all true. Veterans with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) have a high risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness is cause by drug and alcohol dependencies, the economy and veterans who suffers from PTSD or other forms of mental illness.

A social issue is a form of conflict that influences members of a society and often extends into debates about what should be considered morally justifiable. Social issues such as: illicit drugs, gender inequality, age discrimination, education, and recidivism are all heavily discussed topics of debate. However, one social issue that affects several people on a day to day basis is homelessness. Homelessness is the condition of having no permanent dwelling such as a house or apartment. Homeless is a prevalent problem on a global scale that can be viewed and interpreted many ways. To understand homelessness, people must examine the issue using the sociological perspective, which is a perspective based on human behavior as well as person’s connection

This is one of those problems that instead of finding solutions for, most people are “sweeping this problem under the rug” and finding “quick fixes”. The homeless population will continue to be victimized unless we change our attitude towards homeless people. We need to view them as fellow human beings who deserve a place in society. I think you made a great point by saying that “understanding the reasons behind them being homeless” because, in my opinion, that is one the biggest problems. We do not care enough or understand their situation; it is a lot simpler to blame poverty and homelessness on poor people.

Apathy. Although there are circumstances that cause people to be homeless such as the loss of a job or addiction, the main reason is that citizens feel apathetic towards the homeless. Seeing homeless people on the streets has become so common that people are not impacted by the hardships a homeless person is clearly facing. Beggars have become invisible and it is nearly impossible for the homeless to regain a life of normalcy without the help of others. It is typically taught that when you see a homeless person you should ignore them, walk away, or lock your doors if you are in a car.

According to the National Coalition for the Homelessness, approximately 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year. Over 500,000 people were recorded homeless in the United States in 2015. In just our 5 months into 2016, we have already doubled that number. There 's now well over 100 million homeless people in the US. Roughly 300,000 of those people are children. Homelessness alters people 's lives in many ways. It is an epidemic that is beginning to spread into the industrialized countries. “The world of the homeless is a tough and interesting world.” says actor Paul Dano.

One major problem that often leads to homelessness is health

In the essay "Untouchables" by Jonathan Kozol, he reveals the harsh opinion society has toward the homeless in a blunt way. He exposes an attitude of hatred towards these members of society. Shockingly, the government and society treat the homeless members of humanity as vermin. It seems more important that the homeless are dirty, they hurt business, and that they exist than the fact that they are people who are part of society and with a little help could get back on their feet. Because of this attitude toward the homeless, it seems like the situation is just getting worse.

The current government is creating a situation where more families along with their children are experiencing homelessness. An individual may be considered homeless when they lack permanent housing and have to stay in shelters, abandoned buildings or vehicles, on the streets, or in other forms of unstable situations. Many homeless people start out with jobs and stable residences, but then social and economic factors intervene, causing a rapid change in their living situation causing them to leave, and live on the street. Even with the population of homeless keeps increasing, the government does not aid nor benefit the homeless because they only worsen the homeless problem by having laws that go against homelessness, not helping mentally ill homeless population, and having the lack of subsidized housing.

Homelessness is a product of social inequalities. Karl Marx stated that the capitalist society produces two prominent classes which are in conflict with each other, bourgeoisie and proletariats. The bourgeoisie are the oppressors who own the means of production and the proletariats are the oppressed workers who labor for the bourgeoisie. Capitalism is distinguished not by privilege but instead by individuality of property ownership and that those who create the conditions of the oppressed group express this power in the form of laws that function to serve the bourgeoisie’s interests (Marx, 2004, p.129).

Homelessness continues to be a huge problem around the world and together we can stop it from happening. Being homeless is a very sad and unfortunate thing. Here’s a couple of examples why this is true. Life without a home is very cold. If you are homeless then you don 't usually have any source of heat other than the sun, and some don’t even have that because they live in dark alleyways

Society believes that just because these individuals are poor, they lack ethics, or have trouble understanding what is morally right and wrong. Stealing is sometimes necessary for these individuals to survive, but it does not mean all homeless people steal. “They are drug addicts,” is another example of a stereotype. “Homelessness is caused by a lack of resources and a safety net like family and friends,” said Leanne Drieberg, CEO of Inland Temporary Homes. "If drug addiction caused homelessness, then wouldn’t we see more rock stars homeless?”

In addition, homelessness can hit any of the demographics: social class, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and culture. No one is exempt from this. In some cases, it can happen to anyone without any warnings. An example, is a person born with autism and bipolar disorder, but later in life experience alienation from his or hers immediate family. They have a hard time accepting them with a disability and the person has no place to go and ends up homeless.

More people suffer from homelessness than we realize. We often take for granted having a home to go to. I completely agree with Anna about her feelings on homelessness. I often see the homeless on the side of the road and I normally refer to them as homeless people but what I fail to realize is, that “homeless person” has a name, that “homeless guy” is a human being just like the rest of us longing for certainty, stability and privacy. Those “homeless people” are human beings without a home.