The number nine bus, packed full of students eager to get home, pulled into the bus lane at Lion 's Park train station. Halfway there, I thought, happy to be done with another stressful day of classes. After most of the other passengers disembark to board the train, those of us which stay on the bus each have our own seats.
The bus driver steps off the bus, as he does each day, to smoke a cigarette. Each day I contemplate how the complex interplay of individuals can become simple routine, reduced to the same exhausted ride to school every morning, matched to the seemingly endless ride home every afternoon. I wouldn 't be able to cope with the chaos that some people enjoy, I prefer my simple, reliable routines. Nevertheless, every day I contemplate the paths each of the passengers had to follow for this scene to play out as it does each day. The path that inevitably leads to me sitting on the bus and watching the driver smoke his cigarette at the same time, in the same place, five out of seven days a week.
I look up to another familiar scene playing out beyond the Plexiglas windows of the bus: a group of homeless men passing their days exposed to the elements. Some are splayed out across the lawns of an adjacent office building, others are digging in the cracks of the pavement for cigarette butts. Nothing special, the same group of men stand in the same places doing the same things every day.
I sit and watch the men and wonder why they are always here. Why do they always
“One diverse population that has continued to increase over the quarter of a century is composed of people who are homeless” (Baggerly & Zalaquett, 2006, p.155). Homelessness has become a growing problem in society because more and more people are finding themselves to be homeless and not knowing where to turn. Many people do not
Due to the relative nature of culture and language, the definition of homelessness varies across the world. What is a common thread among nearly all definitions is the difficulty in locating and retaining permanent residence and integration into normative society. (Elliott & Krivo, 1991, 114) Some of the stereotypes about the behavior of homeless people are true.
Lars Eighner's short essay, "Dumpster Diving," reveals the stereotypes about homelessness in America. In order to confirm these known stereotypes about American culture, Eighner includes autobiographical accounts of the economically inferior class, as well as revealing his elitist rules that governs the life of a homeless person. According to Eighner, homeless people fall into the following categories, 'can scroungers', 'Dumpster divers', and 'scavengers.' (Eighner, 1993). In addition, Eighner's blatant demonstration of his superiority to the people he scavenges from reveals his true character of snobbery.
The number of homeless citizens continues to grow throughout the country as well as the number of police officers being pushed to work the cities. Homeless seek refuge in places like shelters while the police correspondingly are trying to help clear the streets of the homeless. Many times shelters are maxed out with the amount of homeless utilizing these facilities and therefore are left trying to seek other options, whereas the police are forced to try and get the homeless out of sight out of mind on the public. As the police push for the homeless to find somewhere new to live each day the
Even on the days, the sky was covered in gray shades, the humid wind brushing on the skin and the smell of wet soil was the warning to all to find shelter before the rain washed it all way. Being a homeless person means all personal belonging must be carried everywhere; many people utilize shopping carts as their mobile homes where often times passes as their mattress. The homeless hustle every day to make sure they consume the rich aroma of the dish. Many found it easier to make money off selling hardcore drugs, prostitution or momentarily masking the hunger by consuming
Stepping out of the car I analyzed the environment around me. A gust of fresh air flowed swiftly through my hair and caressed my face. The temperature outside was mildly warm and humid. Rays of sunshine blazed down upon me and begun to heat up my black t-shirt. The black and rough asphalt crumbled beneath my feet as I walked. I could tell that it was recently paved because of how smooth it was when I slid my shoe across it. Sweat collected on both of my palms because of the anxiety I gathered prior to my visit. Everything on my body seemed heavier at the time. The necklace dangling around my neck. My phone and wallet that rested in my pockets. It was the result of all of the built up tension within me. I had no idea what to expect.
2) A sociologist’s study of homeless men on New York’s Sixth Avenue involves hanging out with the
Homelessness in America has existed for some time now, but has grown and changed majorly over the years since the 1980’s. According to Mary Hombs, “the prevailing stereotype of a homeless person was that of a middle-aged white urban male alcoholic” (6). But now there is no stereotype because homelessness could happen to anyone at any moment, so that is why it important to be aware. Millions of people in this country do not have a place to live including whole families, children, veterans, and even the mentally ill. Going day after day without food or shelter. Throughout this paper the main focus will be answering the questions: What is homelessness?; What are the main causes of homelessness?: Who is the homeless?; and How do the people of this country assist the homeless?
Homelessness is increasing every year and effecting Americans of different age, ethnicity and religion. In Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” he explains what he went through while being homeless. He describes how and what foods someone should be looking for and to always be conscious of what one is eating because there is always a reason why something has been thrown out. He continues to go into detail about other items that can be found in the dumpster like sheets to sleep on and pieces of paper to write on. Things that can keep him busy through the day. Eighner carefully explains to his readers how being a dumpster diver has become a life style for the homeless and this is how they survive. It’s a way of living and they are comfortable
Homelessness is a critical issue that requires everyone’s attention. Hundreds of thousands of homeless people live on the streets as their shelter. Historically, homelessness has always been a problem in society. Homeless people were known as “the wondering poor”, “sturdy beggars”, and as “vagrants,” but it was not until the late 18th century that homelessness because noticeable to society. Homeless person is anyone who lacks adequate shelter, resources, and community ties. People who are homeless can be categorized as chronic deinstitutionalized or temporary
The issue of homelessness has been called as one that is "highly ambiguous and intangible" (Neale, 1997, p.7). Wright defines the homeless a "diverse, heterogeneous lot. No single catch phrase or easy myth can possibly describe them all" (p.46)
The job market leveled out, and the city was unable to accommodate the number of people looking to work in Aston, resulting in a drastic increase in the city’s homeless and unemployed population. The city’s extensive efforts to revitalize the sleepy city into a thriving metropolitan had gone awry, as many homeless individuals began congregating in large numbers in and around the Square. Business owners, residents, and visitors to the city began noticing an increase in the number of homeless people panhandling and begging in the Square. Due to the increase in homeless people assembling in and around the city’s main attractions, local government officials began receiving numerous complaints that people visiting the Square felt unsafe, particularly in the twilight and nighttime hours. As a result, the restaurants and shops in the area experienced a sharp decrease in business, something many residents ascribed to the unwanted harassment patrons experienced from panhandlers. Noticing that the city’s panhandling issue was having an impact on the city, residents petitioned the City of Aston government to enact an ordinance to address the rising homeless population in downtown Aston.
Upon reading the title to the reading “Camping for Their Lives” by Scott Bransford, A lot of images come to mind as they do for many people. Whether it be family outings, military experience or just plain adventure. Scott Bransford takes a good long look at camping in a different way. The author’s topic is about tent cities and their homeless populations. He argues the struggles that they have with little or no help from the government and highlights a location in Central Valley California. The author structures the article well starting off with an example of a married couple that does not have enough money to sign a lease or take out a mortgage. He then goes into the day to day life and difficulties that are accustomed with living as a homeless person. He mentions statistics and the government’s temporary remedies to deal with the homeless population and the complications when imposing restrictions. The author goes into depth about the lack of jobs within the areas but does not go deep into the addictions, the crime networks that operate out of the areas nor the filth associated with enabling these tent cities to pop up.
Imagine a world where it is illegal to sit down. Could you survive if there were no place you were allowed to fall asleep, to store your belongings, or to stand still? For most of us, these scenarios seem unrealistic to the point of being ludicrous. But, for homeless people across America, these circumstances are an ordinary part of life. (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty 7)
Occasion and planning: I was waiting for an occasion to go on a journey by bus. It at last came in the month of last October. A friend of mine lives in Khulna. He invited me to his sister’s matrimonial ceremony. My mind leapt up in great joy and excitement for getting an opportunity of traveling by bus. The day was fixed for the journey.