Select a book, or movie - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages... For the purpose of complying with the requirements of this essay, the social problem of homelessness would be the main thrust of the discourse. The paper would hereby delve into a more in-depth examination of homelessness as a social problem in America, using some intermittent insights from the movie, as applicable. A brief overview of the problem would be explored; prior to providing statistical details on its current status. Likewise, its effect on society would be examined, in conjunction with a possible solution to homelessness. In addition, a theoretical perspective would be selected that best lends itself to the examination of its continued existence and to the proposed solution. Overview of Homelessness In the movie, Chris Gardner was subjected to being homeless, together with his son, Christopher Jr. due to circumstances that included his inability to effectively provide enough income for his family as a salesman. Inspired from a true story of Chris Gardner, the character was portrayed effectively by Will Smith, and his son in the movie was portrayed by his real son, Jaden Smith (Muccino). The part that clearly depicted this social problem was when father and son had to approach a social worker to seek assistance in finding a shelter for them. They were apparently referred to a local church that provides shelter to men but where people had to line up early due to limited accommodations. The terms ““homelessness” or “homeless” refers to the definition set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and generally considers an individual homeless if he or she lives in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, or in a place not intended for human habitation (e.g. a car, abandoned building, or the streets)” (National Alliance to End Homelessness 7). In Chris Gardner’s scenario, both father and son went through diverse homelessness situations ranging from seeking temporary shelter in a subway’s men’s room, in a moving bus, or in the local church shelter. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (2012), homelessness is “basically caused by the inability of people to pay for housing; thus it is impacted by both income and the affordability of available housing” (4). As evident from the movie, this fact was corroborated by Chris Garnder’s experience where his inability to pay for the apartment that they are renting caused their landlord to drive them out, either through openly advising them and giving identified dates for eviction (the first experience), or through forced eviction (the second experience where their belongings were packed and placed outside of the rented space and the space was apparently subsequently locked). From the information provided by the National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH) that traced the historical evolution of this social dilemma, the organization distinctly identified that the root of homelessness in American could be identified at the end of the Civil War, when, as disclosed: “many people were left without homes and this started a new counterculture in the country that was given the name of hobohemia. This counterculture reached epic proportions during the Great Depression of the 1930s when many families were no longer able to afford their homes and traveled along a migrant ...Download file to see next pagesRead More