Class Conflict Theory Of Homelessness

On any given day in the cities and towns of America, a serious social problem is ever present yet ignored by most. Men, women and children are living on the streets, in parks, in cars, in makeshift cardboard structures and in shelters all across our country. These are the poorest people in the United States. According to The National Alliance to end Homelessness, in January 2014, in a required census count, there were over 578,000 actual homeless people in communities across the country(2014). It is estimated that that number could be closer to 3 million. (Basirico, Cashion & Eshelman, 2014). The National coalition for the Homeless reports that 39% of the homeless in the United States are children under the age of 18 (2014).
Homelessness affects people of all races, geographic …show more content…
It seems that many among us view the homeless as a peril to society. They lie on sidewalks and roam aimlessly on the streets in the bitter cold and extreme heat. Some may panhandle for money but others also work , attend school and worship with us yet they are not seen. The middle class and wealthy step around them and walk by them like they are invisible. The homeless are ignored, looked down upon and are stereotyped and judged. Many homeless people work full time jobs at minimal pay and still cannot afford to put a roof over their head. The nation’s economic crisis has deeply affected the lives of millions of Americans. Society casts out the homeless. Karl Marx’s conflict theory says there are two classes the owners and the workers. The workers rely on the owners to for their basic needs and the owners are only concerned with personal wealth. This applies to society most go about living their lives, enjoying the great things the world has to offer, completely oblivious and apathetic to the poverty, hunger and homelessness just outside their