Reflection on the Effects of Social Exclusion in Relation to Homelessness
Undergraduate Studies
#1466065
University of Alberta
The Effects of Social Exclusion in Relation to Homelessness
Vulnerable populations experience greater health disparities due to their low socioeconomic status, leading to overall poor health and quality of life. Social determinants of health emphasize the impact society has on health and suggests ways to bridge inequalities, through the use of social supports such as the Mustard Seed. These social supports help to build relationships with people experiencing poverty in efforts to prevent social exclusion.
Background
On January 31, 2018, my Lab group and I attended the Mustard Seed; a non-profit organization
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When all of these determinants of health are met one is able to live a healthy and full life, but when one of these or many of these determinants are challenged, it diminishes one’s health and overall well-being. Volunteering at the Mustard Seed has emphasized the impact determinants of health can have on homelessness, making me question the relationship between social supports and social environments, and the impact homelessness has in relation to social …show more content…
Lack of social support leads to an increase in negative behaviors, as a result of coping mechanism. Social environments contribute to health, because it focuses on the community aspect of society and the environment in which we live our lives daily. There is a strong relationship between these two determinants because the environmental factors play a role on the quality of social support one has. People experiencing homelessness have poor quality environments and struggle daily with a variety of social factors like income, shelter, food, and
While circumstances can vary, an individual’s first choice is rarely to choose homelessness due to the inability to afford housing or other unforeseen circumstances. The support of friends, family, and community programs/shelters are first suggestions when a person becomes displaced. When these suggestions become inadequate, living on the streets is the next favorable/affordable option. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on a night in January of 2015, there were 564,708 people homeless in the United States (para 3).
Individuals who are homeless experience social exclusion from society, and this results in a lack of knowledge and understanding about this population. Chappell (2014), suggests that "... approximately 80,000 people are homeless on any given day in Canada" (p. 248). More than 47 percent of the homeless population are single males between the ages of 25 and 55; whereas 20 percent is comprised of youth between the ages of 16 and 24 (Chappell, 2014). Additionally, many of whom are of Aboriginal descent and live with mental illness, addiction, or disability (Chappell 2014).
Today in America, there exists a silent but growing struggle that requires attention and debate. Many people do not take notice or turn the cheek to the state of homelessness that many citizens suffer from. Information is key that raises awareness about a crucial topic. This material will answer the question: What causes homelessness and how can this plight be cured?
While it is crucial to consider social exclusion discourse on homelessness, Sheedy (2015) critiques that focus on social exclusion of the poor at an individual level diverts the attention away from allocation of resources and redistribution of wealth. In other words, focus on improving experiences of socially marginalised groups such as people who are homeless and helping them to reintegrate into the society are vital but this appears to address just the symptoms of poverty rather than socio-economic causes of poverty (Sheedy, 2015). According to sociologist Herbert Gans, “the prime obstacles to the elimination of poverty lie in economic system that is dedicated to the maintenance and increase of wealth among the already affluent” (as cited
As time goes on, the rate of homelessness rises as the population rises. Homelessness then was mostly caused by a family’s history of being homeless, drug abuse, mental disorders, and tyrannical leaders forcing his people into poverty. In modern times, several organizations are now trying to end homelessness by building cheaper housing projects more affordable to the poor and homeless shelters; these projects usually cost a fair amount of money.
It is indiscriminate and has no concern for one’s status, race, ethnicity, background, religion, and so on. Therefore the fear of homelessness is the fact that it can happen at any time.. As a result of the United States economic situation, there is a lack of jobs and livable wages provided for growing communities. The insufficient provision of financial aid is among the factors that cause homelessness. Unable to be financially independent, the homeless tend to meet their financial needs through illegal avenues. These avenues involve the interaction with drugs and
Our capstone project is aimed at combating the lack of basic healthcare and basic service in the poor and homeless. The biggest factors toward poor health are discriminatory behavior towards homeless communities and insufficient clothing to combat weather. According to a study done by Diversity and Equality in Health and Care, “people who are homeless are frequently treated as objects or dehumanized by nurses.” A comprehensive study done by NCBI and the city of Toronto confirms this behavior in cities throughout Canada and the United States.
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).
In the United States homelessness has been a substantial problem for decades. The reason for homelessness is greatly debated especially
During the recent years homelessness has increased eminently. Although homelessness is not a new phenomenon it has become a huge social issue in today’s society. In urban areas homelessness is visible by the masses but ignored by society’s negative perception. Characterized as unstable individuals, alcoholics and criminals by society, these negative stereotypes have only escalate the issue. Homeless can occur at any stage of life for multitude of factors.
One social concept that heavily affects the homeless population is that of dehumanization. Dehumanization is the deprivation of human rights from a person or group with the intention of undermining the individual being represented by a specific situation. In the case of the homeless population, they are often segregated from society and abused in various forms. The segregation of homeless people from society is often given two arguments as to why they are a “class apart”. These two arguments are that homeless people have done or are doing things that society sees as morally unacceptable and that homeless people have received help from their social community and have not made efforts to make connections.
Homelessness is not a new issue as it has already existed for many years ago and the existence of homeless people is often being ignored. The reasons why they end up sleeping on the streets is largely because of individual factors (Main, 1998), which is contributed by structural factors (Cyndy Baskina, 2007). It is unsure whether homeless people choose to end their lives in this way or are among the victims of situations? Many researchers contribute homelessness to structural factors but advocates of human rights debunk this and highlights that the main reason for homelessness is due to mostly individual
The issue of homelessness in America has been evident since the early 1600’s. Across the country men, women and children spend their nights on the streets not knowing when or if they will ever find a permanent home. States and federal officials or city councils have tried to alleviate or at least reduce the number of homeless over the last several decades at a city, state or national level but it continues to be an ongoing problem. There is a multitude of factors that account for the growing homeless population that affects each state in the country differently. Though there are many contributing factors that contribute to the amount of people living on the street at any given night in the U.S.
Increase the number of the free clinics that will provide some health issue. Homeless population are at risk for chronic illness making them vulnerable to volience and substance abuse. This population has limited access to resources; difficulty in essentials of daily living: food, clothing, shelter. Often these individual has an underlining mental health issues or substance abuse problems. They do not have support outside their homeless community.
“Homelessness has complex causes, including a changing economy, joblessness, and the loss of low-rent housing in cities.” (Mechanic, David). Society takes no mind in addressing the issue and create a preconceived notion derived from substance abuse regarding homelessness as a matter of choice and not misfortune and unforeseen events. Society thinks of them as lacking the wherewithal, simply giving up on life and refuse to be a part of a functioning society. Consequently, many are forced to stay in free shelters; others live in their vehicles while the remainder is living in areas not meant for habitation such as downtown areas, under bridges and