How do you feel about homeless people?

Question

I personally believe that homeless people made the wrong choices and are dealing with the consequences. I have no real sympathy for them.

Answer 1

I feel sorry for them. But they need opportunities and to be willing to take those opportunities Many get opportunities but have had hand outs for so long they don't bother taking the opportunities when offered. I was homeless last year. For eight years I had no home, nothing. Last year I was riding a bicycle and had a back pack with two sets of cloths and no place to wash them. Till I got an opportunity and I took it. I went to work for a man building a church, then got a job with Flying J, a few weeks later I was offered a job at the ship yard, only a dollar fifty more and hour but I took it. I am now a licensed electrician, own my own home, got a Ford F-150, and a Ford Ranger. So I know it can be done.

Answer 2

I have no idea how they got where they are, and I always wonder if they have family. If they do they should help! I've heard a few homeless people speak with very eloquent speech. Maybe they are very intelligent, but not in the mechanical way that this system demands...I'm exactly like that! I'm left-handed. I'm terrible at math, but math can get you many prestigious jobs. What I am good at is debating and creative writing, along with a few other things that aren't concrete talents. This being said, unless I can get into a university, none of these things will benefit me. It may have been the same for some homeless people. The world is dominated by right-handed people, and they came up with a system that they understand better than anyone else. Some people never figure it out. I have no family. I have a mom and a brother, but my mom and I are not in speaking terms. She is well-off financially, but I'm only so-so. I have imagined that if I were to lose my job, I might be homeless. I have no friends, and no family to help me. Individuals with a small social circle, I think, can easily become homeless, even overnight. They aren't always drug addicts or alcoholics. Some homeless simply look lazy, but I try not to assume that since there are many different cases. They do, however, look like they've given up.

Answer 3

I believe that homeless people are people who need a second chance, they just want to pick their lives back up. Everyone makes mistakes and has to deal with the consequences of their choice. That is not the case with most homeless people, I know this because I volunteer at a homeless shelter. Many of the people from Katrina are homeless, are you telling that they made wrong choices?

Answer 4

I think that is a shame you feel this way !!!
There are many reason why a person has become homeless and one should not judge another ,it is not right to play GOD. When a person sees a homeless person they do not look at the possibilties of how this man / woman wound up in an unfortunate situation.
Most people look at the surface and not what may harber underneath.
If you see a person in need offer them food and water / juice. Never give money always donate to a shelter that way you KNOW your hard earned money will go directly to the cause.
Do not critize or judge they are probably embarrassed by their situation as you are in passing them on the street.

Answer 5

I have a lot of sympathy for some of them. Some of them had absolutely no control over what has happened to them.
If you need an example, imagine the child who loses his or her parents in an accident and is then abused by foster parents his or her whole life. This child has decided that life on the streets is better than abuse.
Imagine a Cambodian family blown up while walking through rice paddys by leftover landmines... children left orphaned and sometimes limbless. (or are we just talking about the Western world here?)
Imagine a single person with no family who's apartment has burned down and has recently lost their job do someone because they were younger or more qualified.
Imagine the young woman who was pregnant through rape and who's family do not support her.

You cannot tell by looking at someone what their past is, and what lead them to their situation. I agree that some people who live on the streets have managed their lives badly. But everyone makes mistakes and I don't think that someone else's mistakes merit my distain, when I know I'm not a Saint.

Now, when I hear about a kid, who's got a loving family, and who is completely able-bodied but has chosen to panhandle on the street because they don't want to adhere to society's norms... that bothers me... but I still have to think that they have a right to choose their path. I just choose not to give my spare change to these peopele.

I consider myself very lucky to be where I am despite dumb things I have done in my life. I could never hold a person's mistakes against them, unless they have no remorse.

Answer 6

It depends. I believe some have very real mental problems that have left them virtually alone in the world. I believe some have made very wrong choices. And I believe that some "homeless" panhandlers aren't homeless (I know a few people who used to pretend to be homeless to get money).

Answer 7

Depends on the sitaution
If someone is homeless due to job cuts, job shortages, horrible odds at growing up equaly, having abusive parents who didnt give a damn, or......deciding to simply ignore the system, then...its a mixed bag of answers. I would say homeless people need to be forced off the street...into some type of living center and taught some type of basic skills. However, since most Americans ignore these individuals and could care a less if they die, rot..and all else...then, the question is moot.

Answer 8

Most "homeless" people I've come across weren't homeless at all. It was just a quick way to earn cash.

I don't like the begging. Instead of wasting time on a street corner, why not apply for a job flippin' burgers at McDonalds? It's not like its hard to get a job like that. Don't try to tell me it is.

I'd have to agree with the asker on this one. EXCEPT for, of course, in the case of a mentally challenged person or a child born into homelessness.

Answer 9

My sympathy to homeless people, coz they are paying for someone else's mistake or some calamity. Give them empathy, opportunity to work/learn, 2 simple meals & lots of care. Rehabilitate them.

Answer 10

The ones with mental problems or families on hard times I feel bad for. The ones that are homeless because they want to be or have substance abuse problems can go to hell.