This essay will be discussing the social issue of homelessness within Australia from the sociological perspective of a functionalist. This essay will firstly define what a social problem is; secondly, the definition of homelessness and the nature and extent of it within Australia; thirdly, explaining the functionalist perspective, and; lastly applying the functionalist perspective in regards to homelessness.
A social problem as defined by Lauer (1976) is said to only exist when society perceives something as being problematic. Lauer (1976) explains that a social problem is both subjective and objective, namely, particular objective circumstances which are subjectively perceived to be disagreeable and therefore they are then defined as a problem. …show more content…
This census stated that 105,237 people in Australia are homeless which equates to 1 in every 200 Australians being homeless each night. Since the early 2000’s this rate has only increased which suggests that is a growing problem within Australia. Homelessness results in significant social and economic losses to not only the individual and community but to the nation as a whole. Homelessness Australia (2016) states that roughly $27,000 is spent on homelessness each year by the community. By completing this census it allows the Australian government to understand that homelessness is a social problem and that more targeted initiatives are needed. The information provided above shows that homelessness is seen as a social problem in Australia as it effects a large amount of society in a negative way, has been recognised by the Australian Government that it is a social problem and for the Australian Government to seek feasible …show more content…
In 2013, Homelessness Australia acknowledged that domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness which takes up 25% of the possible factors linked to homelessness. Domestic violence will be used to demonstrate that dysfunction in one or more parts of society can cause some people to become homeless so this is the example that will be used to show that dysfunction in one or more parts of society can cause homelessness for some. Domestic abuse is a characteristic of a dysfunctional family where the roles of some individuals are not being fulfilled, for example adult men typically are seen as having a role of being the protector while adult females are seen as nurturing and the caregiver. When the individual does not perform their role correctly within the institution, it then becomes dysfunctional and is more than likely to suffer. This suffering can lead to the abused party living in an unstable agreement and the worst case scenario is that the victim may end up living on the streets or in a shelter home. Homelessness may indicate the presence of some dysfunction in the system but society has turned it into a functional
A social problem as defined by Lauer (1976) is said to only exist when society perceives something as being problematic. Lauer (1976) explains that a social problem is both subjective and objective, namely, particular objective circumstances which are subjectively perceived to be disagreeable and therefore they are then defined as a problem. …show more content…
This census stated that 105,237 people in Australia are homeless which equates to 1 in every 200 Australians being homeless each night. Since the early 2000’s this rate has only increased which suggests that is a growing problem within Australia. Homelessness results in significant social and economic losses to not only the individual and community but to the nation as a whole. Homelessness Australia (2016) states that roughly $27,000 is spent on homelessness each year by the community. By completing this census it allows the Australian government to understand that homelessness is a social problem and that more targeted initiatives are needed. The information provided above shows that homelessness is seen as a social problem in Australia as it effects a large amount of society in a negative way, has been recognised by the Australian Government that it is a social problem and for the Australian Government to seek feasible …show more content…
In 2013, Homelessness Australia acknowledged that domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness which takes up 25% of the possible factors linked to homelessness. Domestic violence will be used to demonstrate that dysfunction in one or more parts of society can cause some people to become homeless so this is the example that will be used to show that dysfunction in one or more parts of society can cause homelessness for some. Domestic abuse is a characteristic of a dysfunctional family where the roles of some individuals are not being fulfilled, for example adult men typically are seen as having a role of being the protector while adult females are seen as nurturing and the caregiver. When the individual does not perform their role correctly within the institution, it then becomes dysfunctional and is more than likely to suffer. This suffering can lead to the abused party living in an unstable agreement and the worst case scenario is that the victim may end up living on the streets or in a shelter home. Homelessness may indicate the presence of some dysfunction in the system but society has turned it into a functional