Is homelessness a lifestyle or culture 'of the streets'?

Answer 1

It's a complex social, economic, health issue. Fortunately there are services for the homeless, but not enough to cure the problem.

Answer 2

Homelessness is all of the above. I personally have been homeless and needed the public assistance of the local government and state. Though my situation was not for very long, I did not seek for money in the public highways or streets or even outside of the grocery stores. There are facilities provided by public health which provides a roof and a hot meal. It can be a lifestyle if you choose it to be, as many has already. Can they change? Probably but the question is whether they want to change! Culture? Well I don't know, perhaps it started way back from the hippies, couldn't really tell ya!

Answer 3

It is both. Some actually choose it, such as a local group in Portland. They live in a big camp with eachother, one person from each family has a job, they have a website and news paper, and they have their own rules. Its an organized homless group with working people, men women and children. Also, homelessness was a lifestyle back in the 60's and 70's with everyone migrating to San Fransisco durring the Hippy Movement. Teens still do that today but not to the same extent as the nationwide migration to the inner cities of the 60's and 70's and the drug culture that surrounded it. It is also a tradgedy, Mentally Ill, low income people evicted fromt heir homes, disabled people, and veterans of war make up a vast majority of homeless populations in major cities as well. They have real reasons for it, and are unable to get assistance from local and federal government. And then there are of course the stereotype drunks and druggies who just dont want to work, or are never sober enough to keep a job, however i dont think that group makes up any significant population of homeless people.

Answer 4

I became homeless after a divorce because I was not working, had no skills that someone wanted, and was denied support because I was "capable of working". My youngest lived with his father while the oldest moved in with her boyfriend, and I made my way the best I could, living in a Toyota and being fed by the local church. I didn't ask for anything except a hot meal once a day and leads toward a job. I survived, got assistance and then a job, remarried and moved into a rental. Five years later, he was killed in an accident and when the insurance paid up, it wasn't enough to live on. I was back on the streets, same as before, until I met an elderly woman who needed a companion/live-in nurse. I live in her house now and just recently discovered I have a mental condition that precludes working. Hopefully I won't be on the street again but who knows? I don't consider it a life-style or a culture, just a series of unfortunate events.

Answer 5

WHY WOULD PEOPLE THINK THAT THIS IS A LIFESTYLE...OR A CULTURE OF THE STREETS...I REALY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE STILL THINK LIKE THIS NOW A DAYS . I COME FROM NYC, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE SADDEST THINGS THAT KEEPS HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY.. AS THE RENTS ARE NOW OVER$ 2,000 FOR A STUDIO APARTMENT,AND BASICALLY $4,000 FOR THE NEW ONE WHO CAN AFFORD THIS WITH A FAMILY. IF 2 PEOPLE WORKING,CAN MAKE ALMOST 2,000 A MONTH EVERYONE PLEASE ADD THE MATH , THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE FOOD, CLOTHING, LIGHT AND GAS BILL.AND BY THE WAY THIS IS NO LONGER A BLACK ,HISPANIC ISSUE,THIS IS AFFECTING THE WHITE COMMUNITY ALSO,I HAVE DONE SOME VOLUNTEERING SO I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES JUST CAUSE THEY GOT SICK AND THEY COULDN'T PAY THERE BILLS, PEOPLE WHO HAD FIRE'S IN THERE HOMES WHO CAN'T FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING,, SO THIS IS THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS, I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THIS. NAMASTE

Answer 6

I have a hard time giving homeless people simpathy. There are the exceptions for that are mental ill with no one to look after them. In my opinion its simply lazyness, people that become homeless have absolutly no drive to better them selves. Just think about how simple it would be to get off the streets. Find a family memeber or friend to take you in while you get cleaned up and get a job. Go to a shelter to get cleaned up and find a job. Save some cash until you can pay for rent and so on. To sit on the corner and beg for money is truly pathetic when there are so many better options.

Answer 7

Homelessness is the consequence of poverty. The solution is give everybody a million dollars.

Answer 8

check out hobo.com, no seriously....check it out, they even have a newsletter.

Answer 9

Both :(

Answer 10

neither .... it is a tragedy ....