How The Authors Portray And Examine Negative Stereotypes Of The Homeless

Many conservatives have described homeless people as those who are affected by addiction problems or those individuals who are mentally ill (Lynch, 1). On the other hand, Liberals point out that difficult economic times, bad luck and bad timing are some of the factors that promote homelessness. The articles indicate that the number of the homeless has risen and since they are not able to fight for their rights, the government has always neglected them on the streets. In her story, Anna Quindlen points out that, modern homes are not homes as they were previously, but they have been converted to real estates. The homeless prefer sleep sitting on benches and in doorways rather than under shelters (Quindlen, 1). Anna points out that they prefer those benches because they are emotionally ill, while some others have been locked before and they seem to be damned when they will be locked again (Quindlen, 2). Other homeless people are afraid of the trouble and violence that may exist in the homes. On the other hand, some homeless people have been found themselves in that position due to an untimely layoff or they lack relatives who might have rescued them.
Although there are some compassionate and wise people trying to get some assistance to this group of people, many leaders are described to be avoiding matters about the homeless. The homeless people are not shown any form of sympathy since most people see them as a minor annoyance on the streets. Moreover, other people have characterized them as alcoholics and a bunch of degenerates who entirely deserve an unfortunate fate.

In a developed country such as the United States, homelessness is brought by a variety of factors and not as a result of the poor judgment made by the homeless people (Quindlen, 2). From the article, it is clearly evident that other people have become homeless due to the skyrocketing rents and an increase in the price of housing. This clearly shows how the rich people have more advantage over the poor people when the economy is poor.
However, there exist homeless shelter volunteers who have been prohibited from providing information about those living in the shelters due to discrimination fears. The shelters are always dry, and any person intoxicated is not allowed into the shelter (Lynch, 2). Also, use of rude language and fighting are no more common that in the other parts of the society. The residents of these shelters go to bed early and wake up early, while they try to look presentable anytime they step out. Most of the people in these shelters are said to have fallen on hard times, and they try as much as possible to pull themselves up using their bootstraps (Lynch, 2). The efforts to assist these groups of homeless people have been woefully under-funded. On the other hand, the legislations that deal with the homeless people only address the effects of being homeless rather than the factors that cause homelessness (Lynch, 1).
As the economy continues to struggle, most of the homeless shelters continue lacking enough beds to go around, and very few of them can offer the resources for a work-contract that may sustain most of these homeless individuals (Lynch, 3). Very few shelter homes can offer treatment for the chronic diseases that may have resulted in certain individuals becoming homeless. Unless the politicians change their attitude towards these people, the issue will remain unhandled until the stereotypes disappear (Lynch, 3). The government should understand that the homeless people are just like other normal people and they strive for similar goals and have the same virtue as another citizen. The leaders should get over their instinctive reactions against financing the homeless programs, address the main factors causing homelessness, and support the affected people out of the state.

Works Cited
Quindlen, Anna. “Homeless.” The Bedford Reader (1988).
Lynch, Matt. “The Homeless Lack a Political Voice, But Not American Ideals” THE BADGER HERALD, (February 14, 2002)