America’s Homeless From Another Perspective, Research Paper Example

In today’s world, homelessness and crime are seen as synonymous of each other. Places that are frequented by the homeless are often avoided by citizens because these places are perceived as crime hot spots. Ironically, these places are also avoided by many homeless people as well because they too, fear being victimized. However, it is true that not all homeless people commit crimes and are “evil” people. Yet, it is true that some homeless people do commit crimes, often those crimes are minor offenses such as shoplifting or vagrancy. The perception that homeless people are violent and untrustworthy has many citizens opposing homeless facilities in their neighborhoods. However, advocacy groups convey concern with crime and victimization that homeless people endure on the streets. This is a totally different perspective to view homeless people from because the average American does not view the homeless as a vulnerable group. Nonetheless, the homeless is a very vulnerable group. Members of the homeless population are more likely to be victims of crimes than the committers.  (Jasinski, Wesley, Mustaine, & Wright, 2005). Although the relationship between crime and the homeless population involves viewing the scenario from different perspectives, it is imperative that one knows the objective facts about crime and homeless. The negative perception of the homeless population is partly to blame for the problem because people are reluctant to help out of fear.  Many aspects play a dominant role in society’s formation of a negative perception of the homeless population.

Homelessness has been a major social issue in the United States for several decades. Although there can not be a definitive number placed on the homeless population, it is believed that between 2 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness in any given year in the United States of America (Burt, 1999). This number could be double or triple what surveys have recorded. Accurately accounting for all the homeless persons in the United States is virtually impossible. Regardless to the accuracy of number, most Americans agree that homelessness is a serious issue that needs immediate attention.

The term homeless has many different definitions. Some people define homelessness as people who sleep from house to house of friends or relatives, while others believe homelessness is when someone is living in dilapidated housing. Researchers have given a more inflexible definition to the word homeless. They say it is anyone who does not have a regular nighttime residence, or an individual whose primary nighttime residence is a shelter or a privately operated facility that provides temporary living accommodations (Allgood & Warren, 2003). Even with a more detailed definition, the term homeless is still unclear. In other words, some people may be perceived as homeless when they actually are not. A clear definition of homelessness is necessary when trying to get to the root of the negative perception of the homeless. Thus, the term panhandler and homeless are often synonymous. However, a great portion of panhandlers are not homeless. Likewise, many studies have proved that most homeless do not panhandle (Borchard, 2005). Because most people do not know this fact, their perception of homeless and panhandlers is not swayed. In other words, one’s experience with a domiciled panhandler could affect how he/she views the population of homeless. This perception is faulty to say the least.

For most people, homelessness is a transitional situation. Many do not remain homeless for more than thirty days (Allgood & Warren, 2003). Less than one third of the homeless population is considered to be chronically homeless. The homeless population is comprised of men, women, and children from all age groups and all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The majority of them have substance or alcohol addictions, while many have no addictions. Many have physical and or mental disabilities, while many are able bodied and mentally sane (Allgood & Warren, 2003).

Although the homeless group is very diverse, there are some common characteristics. Poverty is linking characteristic between homeless.  In some cities, more than 25 percent of their homeless population is comprised of African American men (Borchard, 2005). Poverty rates are known to be higher among racial minorities, it is logical that members of racial minorities would be more likely to become homeless than other groups. A study of 1, 788 homeless people found that 41% were white, non-Hispanic 40% were black, 12% were Hispanic, and 9% identified themselves as other. Of this group, African Americans represented those that were chronically homeless at 49 %( Burt, 1999).  Another factor that affects homelessness is education. A recent study found that newly homeless individuals had a significantly less education when compared to groups that had never been homeless. Income also plays an important factor in homelessness. The group of newly homeless people also earned less income than other groups of non-homeless. This takes in account income from all sources including monetary assistance from family members.

In the United States the main causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing and an increase in poverty (Hopper, 2003). The lack of affordable housing has increased in recent year (Allgood & Warren, 2003). “Measures of housing costs, including median rents and rent-to-income ratios, have been found to have a significant positive effect on the magnitude of the homeless population” (Burt, 1999). Researchers have found that the destruction of single room occupancy hotels have led to an increase in homelessness (Allgood & Warren, 2003 ). “The key to persistent widespread homelessness in the United States appears to be the persistent and worsening mismatch of housing cost to available housing re-sources” (Jasinski, Wesely, Mustaine, & Wright, 2005 ) The average hard working American is only a pay check or two away from being homeless. Many people admit that if they were to become ill and could not work, they would not be able to maintain living standards. Consequently, many Americans go to work while sick daily. Any unexpected bill or illness could place many at risk of becoming homeless or totally dependent upon family members.

Often, homeless are viewed in one of two ways: first, they have chosen their lifestyle and they are to blame for their situation; or, they just fell on hard times due to job loss, disability, or extreme physical abuse has caused them to become homeless. There is probably some truth to both scenarios. However, public opinions seem to equate crime and homeless. Bluntly speaking, many people are just afraid of the homeless population or what they perceive the homeless population is capable of. Most homeless people are visibly dirty, smell of alcohol, and are caring everything they own on their backs or commandeered shopping carts (Hopper, 2003). The homeless cannot easily blend end with other members of society. Shelters are typically closed during the day, so the homeless have no place to go. They may spend hours on park benches, in a public library, or just walking through the mall. This visibility makes the average American nervous. The fear of crime against them by a homeless person is the major reason why average American steers clear of the homeless. “Most Americans want the homeless off the streets, but no one wants them next door” (Borchard, 2005).Negative views of homeless leads to what is called NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) ideology. In some cities, residents violently oppose shelters in their communities. They believe that homeless will commit crimes, including rapes of neighborhood women (Jasinski, Wesley, Mustaine, & Wright, 2005).  In Florida, residents were fighting to have a large homeless shelter relocated because it was near a local high school. Citizens argued that the homeless population contained men that were child molesters, pedophiles, drug users, and many other questionable characters that could be potentially dangerous to students. (Burt, 1999). Nonetheless, citizens are often unsuccessful in blocking homeless shelters from their neighborhoods and communities.

The media and Internet have contributed greatly to negative connotations of the homeless. According to research, greater exposure to the media would be positively correlated with the perception of homeless as dangerous. In a study conducted, the findings supported that people who watched more television had the perception that the homeless are dangerous. Often homeless are portrayed as violent and aggressive. The media often shows them attacking or stealing from innocent people. The role of media plays a dominant role in the formation of the attitude American have about homeless (Klapper, 2006). Likewise, the Internet does the same. Many online searches reveal that people fear the homeless. One site, Bumfinder.com allows people to search and discover areas that are frequented by homeless. The site proclaims that cities are not doing enough to keep people safe from the homeless.

Many factors have contributed to the way society views the homeless population in America. Although the homeless do commit crimes, studies show that the crimes they commit are consequences of their homelessness. They steal food and other items to survive with. Homelessness has been a problem in America for decades and government is no closer to eradicating the problem now. The portrayal of the homeless by media and Internet sites is not changing the situation for better. Homelessness is a problem that crosses racial, ethnic, and geographical barriers. Although minorities, the less educated, and lower income persons are more likely to become homeless, Caucasians, educated and financially stable people are not excluded. Not all homeless people commit crimes. Being homeless does not make a person violent. All homeless people have not chosen questionable lifestyles that caused them to become homeless. Some homeless are victims of abuse and chose living on the streets rather than live in continue abuse. Others have mental and physical disabilities that caused them to be unable to provide for themselves.

Works Cited

Allgood, S. & Warren, R. (2003). The duration of homelessness: evidence from a national survey. Journal of Housing Economics, 12, 273-290.

Borchard, K. (2005). The word on the street: Homeless men in Las Vegas. Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada Press.

Burt, M. (1999). Homelessness: programs and the people they serve. Findings from the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients. Interagency Council on the Homeless.

Hopper, K. (2003). Reckoning with homelessness. Ithaca & London: Cornell University Press.

Jasinski, J., Wesely, J., Mustaine, E., & Wright, J. (2005). The experience of violence in the lives of homeless women: A research report. US Department of Justice. Document number 211976.

Klapper, J. (2006). The effects of mass communication: An analysis of research on the effectiveness and the limitations of mass media in influencing the opinions, values, and behavior of their audiences. New York: The Free Press.