What do you think of the homeless in our society today?

Answer 1

They are the symptom of a society which has lost its moral compass.
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EDIT: In reading over some of these responses, I must admit that I am frankly shocked at some of my fellow Americans. Here's a little history course for you:
Ronald Reagan deregulated the entire Mental Health industry in this country, which meant that thousands of facilities CLOSED THEIR DOORS.

People who had been institutionalized for YEARS were literally turned out into the streets.

With no medication.
With no doctor's supervision.

Anyone even slightly familiar with schizophrenia and/or bi-polar realizes that this was CRIMINAL on the part of the Reagan administration. These people are simply NOT able to take care of themselves.

Next time you turn your nose up at a homeless person, just know that person is somebody's son, daughter, husband, wife, child.

Answer 2

I think most of the homeless in our society are there because of mental illness and/or addiction. I don't know what can be done. Some people are just unemployable and will never fit into a society. The homeless (in the USA) are a small portion of the population as compared to other societies both current and historic. Maybe there is a small population who will always be homeless no matter what a society does.

Answer 3

I think the problem is so vast and the reasons each is homeless is so different that it would be hard to make a blanket statement that covers all homeless.

There are some people there that choose to be there.

There are some that did not or will not accept help.

Frankly I don't understand it well enough and it worries me a great deal. I live in an area where it is not common to see homeless - in fact I have always lived in areas where that is uncommon. I am just now realizing how little I understand about the entire thing......

Answer 4

Well not that they are gays and lesbians. lol. Anyway, if there are homeless, it is not societies fault because there are jobs. There are people coming to this country because there is an excess of jobs. Homeless people are mostly homeless by choice. It gives them a sense of freedom, and its a way to be a rebel against society. They also make alot of money if they do the begging thing. Here in my city good beggers make like $500 a day.

Answer 5

I feel bad for those that are homeless but only to a certain degree. The ones that are homeless because they chose to be are the ones I don't feel bad for (drug addicts, drunks). The people that really need help are the ones that are homeless because of genuine tragic circumstances (lost home to fire or maybe lost job and couldn't maintain financially), or a family with children. These are the ones that need the homeless shelters and soup kitchens. People should donate more to the churches and organizations that support these programs.

Answer 6

I think it's an incredibly complex issue. There is always the assumption that they are just lazy people who drink and use drugs. If you've ever spent any time working with the homeless, you'll realize how uninformed this characterization is. I think we need to do something positive about the homeless in our midst as a community. Most people are one paycheck away from being homeless. So-judge not.

Answer 7

Understand that I'm not talking about those who are homeless because of their addiction or for various other reasons which they them self are implicit in, for they have brought the matter upon them self, but so many of them have mental conditions and no place to go. I think our society has let them down and I help where and when I can if only to provide a next meal or a better coat to wear.

Answer 8

With the way things are going in this nation, things are only going to get worse. How hate filled people can be, especially that one who suggested 'killing' these individuals? This is why there is so much violence, certain individuals; speaking of others as if they have no worth or value.

The best thing we can do for these individuals is remember that they are humans, that just because they are on the streets; it does not mean they are 'drug addicts', 'they want to be there', or 'a menace to society'.

A great number of homeless people are in this situation, simply because they feel they have no other choice. I pray that the one's answering this question in a harsh and negative way, never have to learn what that kind of life is really like.

Answer 9

I think it is a horrible thing. Especially with the rising numbers. It is a disappointment when so many are living in fancy homes, without a care while others are on the streets.

Sometimes I think the reason of homelessness could be that own persons fault, but I don't think that means that they shouldn't be helped.

Answer 10

Sad sad situation...it's all of our faults....we allowed this to happen....when we place a greater value on money and materialism instead of human life, we have let down everyone.
I say we should all work together to help stop this problem. It's growing. More and more people are being placed in the position of losing their homes, and way of life. Where else are these people going to go? The shelters can only hold so many, and there are very few organizations that make homelessness and starvation a top priority.

Answer 11

For the real homeless people I think it's sad, for the people pretending to be homeless to get money so they can buy drugs are the ones that should be in jail.