Misconceptions Of Homelessness Essay

Many Americans have several misconceptions about homelessness or homeless people. Homelessness affects people of all races, age, religions, and genders. The horrifyingly common belief that homeless people are all bums, criminals, drug addicts, and mentally ill that are trying to scalp off of government welfare programs, or the working-class’s pocket-money is not only dehumanizing, it is entirely incorrect. Additionally, the ideology that homelessness is just a housing problem or worse, a temporary condition that most people fall out of remains disturbing. These misconceptions are dangerous and interfere with any systemic attempts to help the homeless population. With such perplexing and ingrained misconceptions amongst Americans, we must attack …show more content…
The correction of this myth could increase employment and renting opportunities amongst this population. Supported by Grunberg, this misconception also makes it difficult for charitable organizations to expand or open facilities that provide services for the needy due to objections from nearby residents who fear for their safety (Grunberg, Jeffrey S. 1992, p. 120). The impact of such myth provides that the discussion about homelessness should not only investigate the nation’s economic standing but should include the layers of complexity and challenge that one must overcome to escape homelessness and the daunting social isolation that misconceptions forced upon them. More importantly, if homeless people could be known by more doctors, lawyers, bankers, teachers, dentists, construction workers, police, firemen, accountants, realtors, store keepers, librarians, writers, artists, newscasters, and in these surroundings, each other, there would be so much helpful activity that the economic and political reality of homelessness would