Introduction
Homelessness refers to a state where one moves from one place to the other. This may be caused by poverty or the desire to move to another place in search of a better life. Homelessness in America can be traced back as far as permanent houses have existed. Initially, the homeless were considered to be people who were hopeless in life. This included people like mad men who had been rejected by their families and monks who did not have a place to stay since there was a shortage of monasteries. A report dubbed “The changing character of homelessness in the United States” identifies a new breed of homeless in the US. According to the writer it’s this new breed of homeless that is worrying. The report seeks to show us the origin of homelessness and why it will be hard for homelessness to go away in the near future. In doing this he uses different topics to drive his point home.
Essay Body
The writer begins by examining the history of the homeless. According to him, homelessness can be traced back to the old time rules that used to govern the homeless in years past. According to him, these rules required that if a person took a homeless man in their wing and the person misbehaved while under their care, the person who took them in was to be liable for the offense committed. This regulation discouraged noble men from taking in homeless people. (Leland & Paula.1988.p. 463)The other thing that is examined in this text was the expansion of the West. During this time there was need for cheap labor. This was gotten from homeless immigrants who were known as “hobos”. After the civil war this group of especially men did not have anywhere to go opting to cases of robbery. This gave rise to the issue of the homeless to an alarming rate. An economic recession in the late 18th century saw those who had failed in life join the rail workers in the street giving birth to a new breed of the homeless. This was further compounded by the degradation of family morals in America.
(Leland and Paula, 1988. p.464) also look at the way the American poor have been viewed by the rich in society. According to them this was a contributing factor to the rising level of the homeless. The poor were perceived as lazy and were thus avoided by the rich. The report also looks at the issue of contemporary homeless. Though the number of homeless men is higher compared to that of women it is believed that the number of women with children is higher. In the recent past the number has been steadily rising. This has been occasioned by women offering sex to men in exchange for money and food. Another group that is in the streets is the one considered as the working poor. This are those people who work but do not earn a wage that can make them afford a home. About half of those in the street are believed to be mentally impaired and drug abusers.
The report further views marriage break ups as the cause of many homeless families. According to a recent study, it is believed that many homeless families are headed by a woman who was once married but divorced with the husband. The hard economic situations make them unable to support themselves hence end up in the streets with their children. Most of these women were also found to be from dysfunctional families and had a history of drug abuse. The report also lists housing as a cause for homeless families. It terms the inability to afford good houses as a factor that is pushing families in to the streets at an alarming rate. Many states in the US do not allow people to inhabit houses that are not viewed as of good quality. With no money to get a habitable house many families opt for the streets. These families have become an eyesore to our country that is considered with respect by other nations. This calls for policies to be put in place to help such families. (Leland &Paula, 1988.p.468)
Conclusion
From the report it is clear that there is a dire need to address the issue of homelessness with the urgency that it needs. One way to do this would be to strengthen the institution of marriage that was seen to be a major contributing factor in the problem. Another thing to be considered is the emancipation of women to be self reliant. This will help a great deal since they form the majority of those in the streets. Another thing to check is the abuse of drugs which is viewed as a cause of almost half of the homeless cases. The government should also come up with a housing scheme that everyone can afford. The problem of housing is complex. There is need then of focusing on all the factors that have caused this problem. We should stop focusing at the victims but instead look at ourselves and the part we have played in the issue.
Work cited
Leland, J, and Paula, W, The Changing Character of Homelessness in the United States; Family Relations; The Contemporary Family; Consequences of Change. 1988. Vol 37, no 4, pp. 463-469.National council on Family Relations. Web.