Is a homeless person, so destitute that they could not even if they wanted to, be able to get a basic salary from a job to afford accomodation and the basics? I mean, begging is **** really isn't it?
2007-05-25 05:06:44 · 28 answers · asked by jasemuk 2 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
It is a choice. One chooses to use drugs and/or gamble and/or make foolish choices. We all have the opportunity to make wise choices, and know the difference between right and wrong. There are plenty of places and organisations to go to go get one's life back together, and still have some self respect. It's better than rotting out on the street. Sometimes one may think they will just die out there, but some stay alive, and that is a tough existence to lead.
2007-05-27 15:28:49 · answer #1 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Some of these people are mentally ill, some came from poverty with no education, abusive situations. They have few and sometimes no means of keeping clean, eating well, getting necessary medications, no descent place to sleep.
Not to mention they have no address or phone number, which makes getting a job very hard.
I cannot imagine anyone choosing this life style, a majority of the homeless do not know any other way.
It is like being swallow up, robbed of the things most people take for granted, for those who still have the mental capacity to see their lives for what they are.
There are millions of homeless on the streets of America.
We are supposed to be the greatest Nation in the world.
Yet nothing changes for this situation or in fact lots of other situations.
Lots of people in society look at these people as beggars instead of people who, in life for what ever reason have been reduced to begging.
2007-05-27 06:35:20 · answer #2 · answered by dancinintherain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there are two types of homeless.
There's regular people who have fallen upon hard times and there's the mentally disabled.
For the most part the mentally disabled group are forced on to the street because they cannot attain jobs and they don't have any family to support them and for whatever reason the government refuses to provide them with care or they just don't know what's available because of their disability.
For people on hard times I think it's a lifestyle choice. They would rather be homeless and beg than be a part of society. If you have a 5th grade education you can get a job that pays well enough to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. So in these cases it is definately a choice.
2007-05-25 05:17:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that most homeless people choose to live on the streets, there probably are a couple that do , most suffer from mental illness, drugs addiction,alcoholism and are unable to provide for themselves anymore..alot of homeless are veterans,parents, ex-husbands and wives.Some of those with mental illness may not even understand their situation at all.
As to getting a job, once you are homeless, you cannot take a chower or access clean clothes or wash your face,etc. Who will hire you? it is a vicous circle that they have a hard time getting out of..I live in South Florida, there a re a lot of homeless here, we have shelters but the homeless are so numerous that they still have nowhere to go.
2007-05-29 00:59:37 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be a choice and some times is and sometimes not. When I was briefly homeless I found a place/space to live and was amazed at how much you can make panhandeling, collectively we could panhandle more then any job we could get. But I did manage to get additional education and a good job because that's what I really wanted to do. Others may think differently.
2007-05-25 06:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by RT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all boils down to your family, and your relationship with them. If you dont have a family that supports you, or even cares about you, then its easy to get knocked down, and not be able to get up, with no one to turn to. Some people have told me it is a lifestyle choice, educated people just wanting to get away from the rat race. I dont believe much of that. I can tell you for me, and most people, if I were to lose my job, lose my savings, and everything I ever worked for, I know my family will be there to support me, and put a roof over my head.
I do know there are programs, and shelters that do all they can to help those in need get a job, get off drugs/alchohol, and get people on their feet. I am not sure how many people take advantage of it, but I believe those really wanting to make a change and get off the street could do it.
I agree with you, begging is wrong. Homeless shelters discourage giving money to pan-handlers, the pan handlers didnt earn your money you worked for, and there are govt programs out there to help the homeless paid for by your taxes. If you want to help, donate to a homeless shelter. It may sound wrong to feel that way, and I have gotten into many discussions with other people about that, but that panhandler wanting me to spare some change, for him or her needs to realize that I go to work, and spend part of my work day "sparing some change" for them.
2007-05-25 06:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by kris76 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it entirely depends on the circumstances. Sometimes there are situations where people need to just get out and they have no other choice but to be homeless. And sometimes people can be forced there through being sacked, not having enough qualifications and having debts to pay off aswell, untill everything builds up and they have noting. No family no friends, nobody.
I wouldn't judge people on the street as you don't know the circumstances behind it.
2007-05-25 05:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by kaytii 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think a homeless person chooses to live on the streets. With no baths, and starves to death. The government cannot help you with out an address. Those kinds of people are pitiful, and if I had lots of money I would definitely get those kids of ppl out of poverty!!
2007-05-25 05:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once someone begins a downward spiral - it's really hard to change anything unless that person wants to change.
When I was having really difficult times - I never went to the streets but I did have lots of family for assistance. I've also never begged.
2007-05-25 10:08:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Pennsylvania the state is closing the mental hospitals. The end result is that these people, who can't take care of themselves, end up on the streets. Then when they "act out" the police pick them up and put them in jail. The Pennsylvania penal system is now Pennsylvania's largest provider of mental health. Don't you just love politician's and the decisions they make?
2007-05-25 10:10:20 · answer #10 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋