Homelessness in the United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that within the United States, homelessness is defined as the lack of a dwelling or structure in which to reside. People who are homeless are also often unemployed, and many of them are disabled and/or have problems and struggles with drugs and alcohol. This paper explores the issue of homeless in the United States and, in particular, in the state of Massachusetts. Various issues that surround homelessness or that relate to it are also addressed so that a complete picture of the issue, how important it is, and who it affects may be seen. The writer maintains that the issue of homelessness is not one that will go away without help from the government and concerned citizens alike. The writer concludes that with effort, however, the issue can be lessened so that fewer and fewer people must spend their days and nights on the streets or in shelters, with nothing to call their own.

Outline:
The Definition of Homelessness
Historical Background of Homelessness
The Causes of Homelessness
The Emotional Implications of Homelessness
Help for Homelessness

From the Paper:

"There is a long list of concerns over homelessness. It is important to touch on the main concerns here. The first one is the fiscal burden created by the high homelessness rate. When people are unemployed, there is a tremendous waste of productive power. The potential national output is not realized in a country where many of the people who could work are not working. It also hurts others, since the homeless and their families often live off of the state and/or off of the handouts of other people. This takes valuable resources away from others, and away from the national output.
"Another concern is the loss of freedom that homelessness creates. Some of the homeless are also socially excluded from many activities because they do not have the money or the status to participate. People who lack employment are often ridiculed or seen as being lazy, and this helps push them farther away from the rest of society. It causes a loss of freedom not just for them but for their families as well."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Becker, G.S. (1968). Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach. Journal of Political Economy 76:169-217.
• Bianchi S. (1993). Children in poverty: Why are they poor? Child Poverty and Public Policy, ed. J Chafel Washington, DC: Urban Inst. (1993): 91-125.
• Brenner, H.M. (1978). Economic Crises and Crime. In Leonard Savitz and Norman Johnson, (Eds.), Crime in Society. New York: Wiley: 555-572.
• Coffey, P. (1917). Epistemology the theory of knowledge: an introduction to general metaphysics. Vol. 1. New York: Longman's, Green, & Co.
• Danser, K.R. & Laub, J.H. (1981). Juvenile Criminal Behavior and Its Relation to Economic Conditions. Albany, NY: Criminal Justice Research Center.

More papers on Homelessness in the United States:

• Research Paper # 62026 : "Homelessness in the United States"
• Analytical Essay # 136582 : "Poverty and Homelessness in the United States"
• Research Paper # 74976 : "Homelessness in the United States"

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