The Problem of Homeless in the American Society - Term Paper Example

The Homeless Introduction A homeless individual does not have a fixed permanent nighttime residence. Anyone who has a temporary nighttime residence such as any public or private place, welfare hotels not designed for nighttime residence for human beings is a homeless person. Homelessness is usually not a person’s natural state. Political agendas are responsible for such state (Arnaudo, Madrid & Zappasodi 6-7). Thesis Homelessness has increased over the past ten years, and it is not new in the nation. Work provides very little, if any, protection to the increasing number of homeless people. In addition, low unemployment levels in the nation do not infer that all working people are well-off. Supporting argument Homelessness problem is growing dramatically in America. It is a non-discriminative problem that can strike anyone without any expectation. Therefore, homelessness is a social problem and crisis affecting our society. Addressing the problem of homelessness calls the entire nation for togetherness to create solutions to the growing epidemic of homeless people. Statistics shows that people living in poverty are standing the most risk of becoming homeless. The homeless are also at risk of losing the little they already have. The number of homeless people and children has greatly increased in the past decade. They are about 40 percent of people who are homeless. In the rural areas, the largest people who are homeless are single mothers, families and children. In a 1998 survey done in 30 cities by U.S Conference of Mayors, it was determined that the homeless population consist of 35 percent Caucasian and 53 percent of African-American. Four percent were Native Americans while 12 percent and three percent were Hispanic and Asian respectively. The ethnic make-up of the homeless population varies depending on geographic location (Arnaudo, Madrid & Zappasodi 10-11). There is a relationship between poverty and homelessness. In most cases, poor people are not able to pay for education, food, child care, housing, and health care. These populations have to make difficult choices when small income can only cover some of these necessities. Evidence shows that low, poor employment opportunities for the huge number of the work force increases poverty. Less secure jobs and falling incomes which provide fewer benefits results into additional financial strain on already financially burdened people. The link between homelessness and impoverished workers is in the homeless shelters, many of which houses significant numbers of full-time wage earners. According to the 1998 US Conference of Mayors survey of 30 cities, almost one out of five homeless people is employed. Therefore, for many Americans, work offers no particular escape from homelessness and poverty (Nishimura 17-18). Homelessness problem today is a pressing one and is widespread all over the world. The reasons may be quite different. The reasons may be high rent for the habitation, mental disability, low salary, and the loss of all family members among others. In such situations, such people need to live further somehow even when they do not have any way out to live in a small carton and beg for money. Many nations through the government have started different social programs to deracinate the homelessness problem. However, there are no concrete results yet. The homeless are increasingly becoming high in numbers, and the problem is pressing (Moisiuc, Reitzel, Kendzor, Childress & Businelle 151-152). Many other studies that have dealt with causes of homelessness have gathered personal information concerning those without other option but to live on the street. Opposing argument While the government is keen on working to decrease the number of the homeless, it is partly the government’s fault that there are many homeless people. It is evident that most people who are homeless lived in the poor districts with a high percentage of family violations, unemployment, drug abuses, and low education among others. These factors are the primary concerns leading to the problem. The most possible way out of the homelessness problem is to put a stop to the process of becoming homeless in the beginning. The government has not done much to reduce rates of unemployment, and make education accessible to these people. The government needs to pay attention to districts with similar situations. There should be an organized social work programs so that they can help people at the verge of becoming homelessness (Moisiuc, Reitzel, Kendzor, Childress & Businelle 153). The public is also responsible for the increasing number of homeless people. People have lost the humanity qualities and were only interested in the proper prosperity and wellness, and they care less about the problem that other people may face. It is not a superb state of things as people forget about mutual help and compassion. People focus on the desire of the great amount of wealth, and other people’s problems do not matter to them. It explains why social programs of mutual help have not brought many results to the homelessness problem. However, if there are people who prefer to help the homeless in solving psychological problems, it is possible to address the situation. The homeless themselves are also part of the problem. Some people do not like discussing problems when in a tight situation. They become aggressive, angry towards everyone as if other people are responsible for poverty. When people become homeless, it comes with great shock to them, particularly where there is no expectation. They become spiritually, morally and psychologically destroyed (Arnaudo, Madrid & Zappasodi 12-13). Another connected problem is how to know, understand whether someone needs help in any given situation. Some people, unfortunately, have managed to create a business based on charity for the homeless. A person begs for money in certain locations that they term as only theirs, and the chief receives some part of the money at the end of the day. The situation has increased the problem of homelessness in the nation (Nishimura 19). America is losing the battle against homelessness despite the abundant resources and power. Many homeless people are all over the street corners of each particular city in America. Rescue missions and homeless shelters are at full capacity, and there is no room at the inn for the indigent of the nation. Rebuttal argument In order to solve the homelessness problem, there should be certain social services that should determine moral and financial state of different families in the districts that have a high percentage of homelessness risk. Social workers need to be close to families at that risk in order to help them solve psychological problems that connect with education of the children or different kinds of parent’s abuse. There should be some special attention on the part of the police, neighbors, landlords and spiritual leaders. So What? Due to the rising number of the homeless people, many crimes have been reported in the nation. Security concerns have been raised, and many children die hungry on the streets. This has led to supporting housing initiatives and support groups becoming widespread. There is the provision of various services that connects with physical and mental health and employment. Through provision of these services, families who are at the verge of becoming homeless can be helped when they still have a place to call home. The work of supporting housing is vital in that it aids families and help them get jobs before they lose all possessions. Researches indicate that homelessness is a complex problem, and many communities continue to struggle with this social problem. Researchers also try to understand causes of homelessness and implement possible solutions. The private and the public sectors are attempting to change the lives of the homeless through addressing issues of poverty, housing, and education. Seemingly, this is not good enough to tackle the problem of homelessness (Nishimura 23-24). Many studies have shown that the lack of stable and permanent housing is a common thread among the homeless. However, beyond that, the factors associated with homelessness are the required services are unique to every individual. On a general note, people become homeless for common reasons and, therefore, a single solution is the answer to the entire social problem. Every individual homeless person shares the basic needs of adequate income, affordable housing and attainable healthcare (Moisiuc, Reitzel, Kendzor, Childress & Businelle 155). However, a broad range of other unmet needs make some individuals to remain or become homeless including employment training, drug treatment, mental health and childcare services, and transportation. Who Cares? The entire world cares about the homeless situation. An increasing number of the homeless people translate to more crimes and dwindling national economy. The interest groups, human rights activists, and humanitarian organizations champion for the homeless to be cared for, and cheap housing provided to them. One of the main causes of homelessness, currently, is the lack of affordable housing in America. New York researchers claim that the homelessness as a social problem can be solved by providing affordable housing. Many studies have concluded that homelessness is a housing problem and not entirely a psychological problem. It is so because nearly all families can stay in houses despite mental illness, substance abuse, incarceration, or physical illness (Nishimura 24-25). Therefore, the entire society cares about the homeless as a societal problem. Conclusion In conclusion, the problem of homeless is invading the American society. Therefore, much attention should be accorded to the homeless. Homelessness is a social problem that takes the entire society to address. In addition to addressing housing prices, health care access, transportation, and unemployment concerns, the homeless need psychological support from the society. The society should care and needs to provide shelter for the homeless as a way of absorbing them into the social welfare. Works Cited Arnaudo, P., Madrid, S., & Zappasodi, D. (2012). Homeless Strategies for Public Housing Authorities. Journal Of Housing & Community Development, 69(6), 2012; 6-13 Moisiuc, A., Reitzel, L. R., Kendzor, D. E., Childress, S., & Businelle, M. S. (2014). Determinants of Social Status among Homeless Adults. American Journal Of Health Behavior, 39(1), 2014; 148-156. Nishimura, S. Investing in the homeless CORRIDOR. Fort Worth Business Press, 26(16), 2014; 1-25. Read More