If there are homeless people in your community, do you believe they are homeless by choice or ignorance?

Question

I wonder sometimes when I see homeless people if they just want to live that way or are too ignorant to find a better solution to their problem.

I realize I should have added another possible choice. Mentally incompetant people should not be on the street without a home. I believe every community has a duty to ascertain that the people on the street have chosen that life with a sound mind.

Answer 1

I think if you live in the US and are homeless then it is your own fault. . . . .and you are ignorant. So many opportunites for people of all ages to get financial aid to go to school to better their lives. . . . .especially if you are a minority. Now, there ARE exceptions to this rule such as people who are disabled and have been abandoned by their families or a veteran who has both physical and psychological issues (don't EVEN get me started on that soap box), but the ones who are well bodied and not disabled (and I mean honest to goodness disabled. . . . .not a crick in their neck) there are plenty of opportunities in this country. I will now be passing the collection plate. LOL.

Answer 2

Wow that question was impressively judgmental! Have you worked with any homeless people? Spoken to them about why they do not have a place to live? Have you read the newspaper? Or about about, "Nickled and Dimed"

Before you start researching let me give you some examples. Sometimes people are homeless for a while because they've lost their income, can't afford rent or mortgage. They didn't "choose" to be homeless. They got laid off...the factory they worked for closed and all the jobs there went to another country. They didn't have any other option at that moment. As soon as they hook up w/ a job that earns enough to make a down payment on an apt you can bet they are back off the street again.

Sometimes people are escaping from an intolerable situation...abusive partner or just plain chaotic relationship. While they are looking for the financial resources needed to start a new life they may go through a period of homelessness.

I could come up with a dozen more reasons; but I'm sure you get the idea....circumstances play an enormous role. And homelessness is generally not a permanent state. And certainly not one that many people volunteer for.

Answer 3

I saw an interview with a homeless man yesterday. He was stating that - if you had told him a year ago that he and his family would be homeless. He would have laughed at you.
He was crying. I do not believe for one minute that all homeless people are out in the freezing cold, pouring rain, hungry etc. because they choose to be. I admit that there are probably some who prefer to live that way, but there are many reasons why there are so many homeless.

It is like commenting on a particular religion or country. We put everyone in the same little box and say, that is what they are like and that is why they are doing "this". Everybody has a different story to tell, and we cannot look at every person on the street and say that the reason they are there is because..............................!

Some people do not hand out money to those on the street because they personally, believe that they will use it on alcohol or drugs. They are doing exactly the same thing, judging without knowing the individuals circumstances and how they are spending their money.

"Love they neighbour as thyself". "do not judge" "have compassion" and that is just the Christian religion. The Buddhist, Muslims, etc. have their own basic rules about love , and yet how many condemn., judge, and overall complain because others are in situations that we do not like or approve of.

NO I DO NOT BELIEVE THE HOMELESS ARE ALL DOING THIS OUT OF CHOICE OR IGNORANCE. There are many different reasons, all of which need our compassion.

TO - ST. DAVID - well said, well written and thank you for it.

Answer 4

I agree with you. I was sitting at wal-mart one day and there was a homeless man standing on the corner with a sign that red; Will Work for Food. I went into Wal-mart, as I was leaving he was urinating in public, falling down drunk. This made me so mad. The next time I went he was there again. I could not help but yell over to him and tell him that McDonald's is hiring. he flipped me off. They had a sign right there on there bill board saying, Now Hiring. I think that most of them just want to be like this guy. I do know that there are several older vets. that are homeless. I think maybe the war has warped their brains and some have just totally lost their minds..We also have some perfectly normal people in town that live in nice homes and drive nice cars, dress up like homeless and stand on the corners asking for money, and food. Then I really get ticked off. I have literally watched actions like this go on for years. I think most can help themselves, but choose to be bums.

Answer 5

Their house is made of cardboard
And the street is where they lay
Their children beg for money
To make it through another day
When they can find a paying job
They'll find a place to stay
It's sad to say that people think
They choose to live that way

Folks think if you're on the street
It's some big happy family
The drunks, the losers, looney tunes
And demons in the night
And when good people lose their home
They're treated like they want to roam
But all they ever did was let the payments get behind
They don't choose to live that way
And you don't choose to change your mind

There's a certain attitude
Some folks seem to have today
Who've always had good food to eat
And a decent place to stay
It really gets me angry
When I hear those people say
That homeless folks don't want a home
They choose to live that way

Folks think if you're on the street
It's some big happy family
The drunks, the losers, looney tunes
And demons in the night
And when good people lose their home
They're treated like they want to roam
But all they ever did was let the payments get behind
They don't choose to live that way
And you don't choose to change your mind






Change your mind.

Answer 6

That's a great poem that "St Dave" presents. (If nothing else, it is heartening to see that someone, somewhere, is still writing poetry with rhyme and meter!) However, it is only true to a limited extent.

When you ask, is it this? or this? or that? or this other thing?
I would have to answer, Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.
There are all kinds of people who are homeless and all kinds of reasons WHY they are homeless.

Some people DO choose to be homeless. I know a very pretty and intelligent young woman in her mid-to-late 30s who could easily find a good job and make a fine living for herself, but CHOOSES to live in a tent and panhandle for her pocket money. She readily admits that she would rather have nothing than have to work for something.

I know of a man in his mid-70s who is physically unable to work and gets less than $1000 a month in social security. Between his medical co-payments and other living expenses, he is left with nowhere near enough to pay rent on even the cheapest and dumpiest apartment. He has a roof over his head ONLY because his wife works and pays the rent (a situation which he hates, but can do nothing about). If anything were to happen to her, then he would be homeless, and certainly NOT by choice.

I, myself, have been homeless a couple of times in my life - but ONLY for as long as it took me to secure a job and earn enough to rent an apartment.

It is a nasty rut that ANYONE can fall into, but once there, some choose to climb out, some COULD climb out, but choose not to and some couldn't climb out if their lives depended on it.

Answer 7

Many are mentally ill or addicts and do not want to live as the rest of society does. However, there are some programs in cities that gives the homeless apartments to stay in permanently so that social workers can help them adjust to a more normal way of life.

Answer 8

Hi a lot of homeless people don't want to be on the streets yes u do get a few who could help them selves not many though

Answer 9

Oh ugh- who would choose to be homeless? .
I volunteer and work with the homless here in my town.
People get caught in bad circumtances, loss of job, then home. Once life under a bridge happens it becomes hard to get yourself out of the nose dive. Can't get a job without a phone, can't work without transportation, even bus money. Can't work without a shower, food and clean clothes.
Initially they do try hard to pull out of the nose dive. But lose heart fast. Once a person loses heart, life just becomes about existing.
I certainly hope life never deals you such a fate.

Answer 10

I have volunteered at our homeless shelter in the past and in our small community I have found most of the people are in dire financial straights......There are however a few that are homeless by choice.....They are "characters" that suffer from mental illness.....
Peace.