Homeless: Who Are They? Essay

In 2005, NCH (National compaction for the Homeless) estimated 3.5 million battalion experience unsettledness in the US every year (NCH,1). But what is unsettled personness? Jim Baumohl, a note author, explained in Homelessness in America, the more or less common definition of dispossessedness used by researchers is the absence of be to a specific place or to people (NCH, 3). However, thither is no set definition, due to the variety of living conditions a homeless soul encounters, and the opinions of the researchers. As Baumohl pointed out, homelessness is but the latest of many an(prenominal) research topics in which the commonwealth of interest is not separately defined (NCH, 15).Even though there is no clear definition of the homeless, the questions still linger, who be they? Though the orbit of the homeless is viewed in a negative, there be many homeless persons who are struggling to receive help. Alcoholics, drug addicts, sexual abusers, and gang members reserve c ast an construe on homelessness that s considers people away from helping. Mary Ellen Hombs, surrogate Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, wrote, At the beginning of the decade the prevailing sort out of a homeless person was that of a middle-aged, fresh male spiritous (Hombs, 4).This description is a common view of a homeless man, however, the landed estate does not see the other minorities crying for help. Homeless persons are increment in numbers in the areas of rationally ill, children, and families. Society is unaware of the problems many of these people are facing, due to the negative image created. These groups go unperceived and rarely receive the attention and help they need to rifle. David Levinson, a noted cultural anthropologist, remarked in Encyclopedia of Homelessness, Alice Solenberger classified homeless society in her book as homeless old men, chronic beggars, wanderers, and tramps (Encyclopedia, 475).One of the to the highest degree common-viewed images of a homeless citizen is of an alcoholic beverageic or drug abuser. Coincidently, Levinson noted, In Finland, until recently, the excogitate for homeless and alcoholism was puliukko, which derived from the words ukko (old man) and puli (a cheap liquor) (Encyclopedia, 7). Homeless persons cast elevated the numbers in summation abuse drastically in the late(prenominal) years. Thirty-eight percent of homeless were dependent on alcohol and 26 percent abused other drugs in 2003 (NCH,1). Homelessness is usually caused by capital spent on totalitys, which then leads to loss of housing. summation abuse move be looked at as both a cause and a pull up stakes of homelessness. Alcohol and drug abuse can be the result of homelessness, while being without a home can cause substance abuse to occur. Although the numbers of abusers is over half of the homeless population, there is an rendering to the high percentages.Levinson added that alcohol is in the main seen a s an adaptation to life on the streets and a way for the homeless to cope with their difficult situations (Encyclopedia, 9). After reviewing the statistics of substance abuse among homeless persons, it is safe to say the homeless population has visualized an image of negativity towards alcohol and drugs, and will continue to live with this image until the rate of numbers decreases and the minorities are shown the attention they need. Mental ailment has generally been a minority among homeless citizens but with growing numbers in substance abuse, mental illness has also taken a resurrect up the number ladder in the past years. Most studies give birth found 30 percent of homeless have some mental illness (Hombs, 43).People affected by mental illness whitethorn neglect taking precautions to prevent affection, due to being uneducated about the complaint theyre living with (NCH,1). When the mental wellness problems are combine with poor hygiene and pretermit of education, many cannot properly care for themselves. The most common mental illness among homeless is schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (NCH,1). Unfortunately, these two diseases put an individual in vulnerable situations and are the most dangerous mental illnesses to live with. They are nigh unrealistic to recover from. NCH explained Many programs for homeless with mental illnesses do not consume people with substance abuse disorders, and programs for homeless substance abusers do not treat people with mental illnesses (NCH, 2).Since substance abuse and mental illness usually coincide among the homeless, treatment facilities are making it nearly unachievable for the homeless to acquire correct treatment and housing. Along with mental illness, comes animal(prenominal) health problems the most occurring disease among homeless persons is human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. People with HIV/AIDS are at a higher(prenominal) risk of decent homeless and people who are homeless have a higher risk of c ontracting the disease. There are multiple reasons for the homeless to be the most normally found with the disease(s). Many homeless people are ones with HIV because of the discrimination shown to the citizens with the illness (Hombs, 49). People with HIV are credibly to lose their job, which then leads to lack of income (NCH, 1). With no money and no health care, treating the disease is rarely an option. Another reason for the disease to be so common among homeless is because of survival. NCH publicized, Many homeless adolescents suffer that exever-changing sex for food, clothing, and entertain is the only way for survival (NCH, 2).If the only way for an adolescent to survive on the street is to exchange sexual activity, the minorities will never find a stop to the spread of disease. A homeless child know as street youth, faces dangerous situations and resides in risky locations everyday of their life (Encyclopedia, 540). The most common challenge a child has to cope with is lac k of cognitive and motor development (Encyclopedia, 75). Missing these important stages of developing the whizz will lead to mental illnesses down the road. Growing up with emphasis and crime will also put them in troubled heavy(a) lives. Many homeless children come from troubled families, domestic violence, or neglect.The majority of street youth are with a single parent, most commonly a female (Encyclopedia, 75). With trouble at home, many resort to foot turn tail away or becoming caught up in drugs or alcohol to deal with the pain of the situations they are faced with. Just like adults, disease is another problem among children. Many childrens parents lack hygiene or education on disease, and many simply cannot provide the correct care for their children. Martha Burt, a noted author and publicist, reported in Homelessness Programs and the People They Serve, Among homeless clients in family households, 10 percent reported that their children needed a fasten but were not able to do so (Burt, 23). With this being noted, it is clear that children who are born into poverty stricken or homeless families will more than likely never see a doctor.Recently, due to immigration, the race of the homeless population has changed. African-Americans and Latinos are a growing number in homelessness, while whites are falling behind. NCH announced, U.S. Conference of Mayor found that the homeless population is 47 percent African-American (Who 3). African-Americans have dominated almost half of homeless persons but struggle more than whites. Whites are far-off better off in job markets and income than blacks. Whites have better chances of receiving greater incomes, which puts other minorities into poverty and eventually homelessness. This is why the numbers have at peace(p) up and the face of homeless persons is changing. Many different types of homeless categories have been viewed. Unfortunately, the ones needing help are hardly known.Homelessness has wrapped itself up in a negative way and has blocked out the helpless people with negativity. Alcohol, drugs, crime, violence, sex, and white males still dominate the face of homelessness and will continue to until change is make within those negative ways of living. When sexual abuse, crime, substance abuse, and spread of disease decrease among homeless persons, it will then be the start of changing the ways for minorities. The homeless have brought negativity on themselves by presenting their persona of society in a stereotyped way. After seeing the facts, it is reasonable to state that alcohol and crime dominates homelessness and these factors block out the individuals needing help.Works CitedBurt, Martha R. (1999). Homelessness Programs and the people they serve. Urban Institute. Retrieved from http//www.urban.org.pdf Hombs, Mary E. (1990). American homelessness. Santa Barbara ABC-CLIO, Inc. Levinson, D. (2004). Encyclopedia of homelessness . (Vol. 2). Sage Publications, Inc. National coaliti on for the Homeless. (2007). Hiv/aids and homelessness . National Coalition for Homeless Retrieved from http//www.nationalhomeless.org National Coalition for Homeless. (2009). Mental illness and homelessness . National Coalition for Homeless. Retrieved from http//www.nationalhomeless.org National Coalition for Homeless. (2007). Substance abuse and homelessness. National Coalition for Homeless Retrieved from http//www.nationalhomeless.org National Coalition of Homeless. (2007). Who is homeless?. National Coalition for Homeless. Retrieved from http//www.nationalhomeless.org