Homelessness as a Common Phenomenon - Annotated Bibliography Example

Homelessness Homelessness is a common phenomenon not only in America but it is found to bein other parts of the world. In America, homelessness can be traced back to the times when the country was established over 200 years ago. Studies indicate that over 3.5 million American residents become homeless every year. Of the homeless people in America, more than 36% of them comprise of families that have children. The American military constitutes of 32% America’s homeless while 35% is made of children below 18 years. Of the entire homeless population, 36% are victims of domestic violence while 32% suffer from various psychological disorders. Generally, the American population is characterised by various social and economic challenges that include the rising cost of education, increased unemployment rate and skyrocketing levels of poverty in other areas of the nation. All these challenges have jeopardized the financial stability among poor Americans, increasing cases of homelessness in the country. Although there are various factors that have been linked to increasing homelessness cases in the United States, it is clear that physical disability, unemployment and poverty levels are some of the key causes that have led to a rise in homelessness cases in America. The knowledge on the manner in which these factors have led to increased homelessness is vital in facilitating the formulation of a policy that can assist in solving the problem. Over the years, professionals from diverse professional and academic backgrounds have conducted researches on homelessness in America. This paper explores on some of the vital sources that address the social problem of homeless in America. American Bar Association. (2002). Educating children without housing: a primer on legal requirements & implementation strategies for educators, advocates, and policymakers: Pursuant to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Chicago: Duffield, B., Heyback, L., Julianelle, P. This is an important publication that assists in understanding the issues surrounding the prevalent of homelessness. Through this publication, readers are capable of understanding the areas that contribute to the social problems a lot of individuals face in America. This publication is a contribution of two attorneys dealing primarily with homeless issues and the Education Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. The authors of this publication believe that it is essential to assist lawyers, social workers, school personnel, and the program administration that aims at the implementation of McKinney Vento Act. This is a significant source of info for readers to understand the causes of homeless and look at the strategies for curbing the situation. The authors of this publication further looks at the strategies that will ensure that children attend schools at the required age. This article recommended stratagems and efficient techniques essential for school management, state administrators, and school districts across America. It further acknowledges that homelessness and education are related. It has chapters such as federal responsibility regarding access to education; support academic achievement; homelessness and education; school responsibilities and implementation strategies and implementation of McKinney-Vento Act that emphasize the importance and ways of addressing homelessness as a social problem. Gibbs, H. J. (2004). Educating homeless children. Techniques, 79 (2), 25-29. The Association for Career and Technical Education is the publisher of this article. It is the largest national education association that emphasizes the need for youths to advance in education. This paper also highlights the need of youths and adults to advance in their education and careers. The author of this article works for a North-Virginia editorial and graphic design company. This article is essential since it focuses on the significance of education for homeless children. The article further explains why it is important to understand the circumstance that causes children to drop out of school. It also highlights the significance of creating youth employment to ensure that they have ways of generating income. The author explores one of the approaches that emphasizes on technical and career education to help youths. This article affirms that homelessness among the youth can be avoided through employing youths so that they can earn a living. Hodgetts, Darrin, Andrea Hodgetts, and Alan Radley. “Life in the shadow of the media.” European Journal of Cultural Studies 9.4 (2006): 497-516. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. The authors of this article use it to help realize the manner in which media promote a framing of homeless using conceptual approaches, photography, and narratives. Through the article, readers become aware of the difference between susceptible pupils and those children who are bright but cannot afford their education. Particularly, Allan Radley uses this article to analyze how the media to emphasize the importance media’s representation of homelessness. In some parts of the article, the authors suggest that it is vital to discourage stereotypes among the vulnerable individuals in the society. They also demonstrate the power of media in mobilizing people to encourage change. This article is essential because the authors use examples to explain the importance of change. They contend that homelessness information through the media helps the authorities to come up with approaches to curb this social issue. This article demonstrates the complexities and media’s power in influencing the attitude of people regarding homelessness. The authors also use the article to demonstrate the link between people and the political actors. It uses scenarios to explain the link between media and homelessness in various states. It highlights the relationship between the institutionalized news and Cook’s theory. This article is one of the best when it comes to understanding the link between homelessness and governing bodies in different states. Novak, David R., and Lynn M. Harter. “Flipping the Scripts” of Poverty and Panhandling: Organizing Democracy by Creating Connections.” Journal of Applied Communication Research 36.4 (2008): 391-414. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. David and Lynn use this article to analyze the content of a civic paper referred to as the StreetWise, which attempts to bring the issue of homelessness to the public discourse. It is an engaging article that gives the public the opportunity to understand the fundamental issues about homelessness and its effects. It uses the discussions in the StreetWise to help people understand the problems that the paper went through prior to its distribution to various states. Similar to the Seattle’s Real Change, this article explains that main causes of homelessness in America are poverty and lack of education among vulnerable members of the society. It further suggests that measures need to be put in place to ensure that such social issues are addressed. This article is important when studying homelessness since it guarantees that there are still approaches that can be employed to promote change. It is an interesting article since it explains and discusses how media can play an essential role in ensuring that real change is achieved. Noy, Darren. “When Framing Fails: Ideas, Influence, and Resources in San Franciscos Homeless Policy Field.” Social Problems 56.2 (2009): 223-242. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. Darren Nov uses this article to determine whether cohesive action policies can be framed appropriately to help address the issue of homelessness. The author talks of “political framing” and how political framing may turn out to be the best or not best option for efficient policy outcome. This article employs research conducted by Goffman on “frame analysis” to help understand the policy making processes, public discourse and politics. This research provides a description of a chasm between common ways that help in identification of social or civil problems and discrepancies in the process of understanding and actualizing the policy change. The author indicates that collective approach to the homelessness problem remains the most applicable. According to Darren, collective action frame is the best approach that can necessitate shared prognostic framing. This article is important as it is likely to help in answering questions related to homelessness. It is an article that will possibly create public awareness concerning the problem of homelessness. Through this article, policy maker may also find the importance of the desired change. It also highlights on the ongoing policy agreement and disagreement that has further contributed to containment and removal of homeless population in Seattle. The author uses the work of others such as Benford and Snow, Schneider, and Gamson to talk on the responsibilities and roles of state coordinators. Works Cited American Bar Association. (2002). Educating children without housing: a primer on legal requirements & implementation strategies for educators, advocates, and policymakers: Pursuant to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Chicago: Duffield, B., Heyback, L., Julianelle, P. Gibbs, H. J. (2004). Educating homeless children. Techniques, 79 (2), 25-29. Hodgetts, Darrin, Andrea Hodgetts, and Alan Radley. “Life in the shadow of the media.” European Journal of Cultural Studies 9.4 (2006): 497-516. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. Novak, David R., and Lynn M. Harter. “Flipping the Scripts” of Poverty and Panhandling: Organizing Democracy by Creating Connections.” Journal of Applied Communication Research 36.4 (2008): 391-414. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. Noy, Darren. “When Framing Fails: Ideas, Influence, and Resources in San Franciscos Homeless Policy Field.” Social Problems 56.2 (2009): 223-242. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 April, 2014. Read More