...has faced difficult time since the Dutch came in 1600’s, in 1700 they started importing slaves establishing the dominance of white over non- whites in the region. The non-whites faced discrimination for years under apartheid and political corruption ran by the whites. Today things look better for the people of South Africa, but they still have many obstacles to overcome. Although South Africa has overcome many travesties throughout the years, their reasonably new democracy faces more with complex political parties, recent struggles with homelessness, and what is being done about this situation. Firstly, apartheid is an “Afrikaans word literally meaning apartness,” refers to the policy of racial segregation and its concomitant economic and political discrimination that was adopted by the South African government for a half century. Coined in the late 1930s by the South African Bureau for Racial Affairs (SABRA), apartheid reflected the social, yet non-legal, practices of South Africans. In the 1940s, the Afrikaner National Party used it as their political slogan. When they won the election in 1948, apartheid was written into law” (Apartheid, 2001). It was a bitter century for the...
Words: 2471 - Pages: 10
...Homelessness in America Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Homelessness remains to be a complex problem in the American society given the ever increasing number of the homeless people as time goes. There is a need for the government and the American society at large to help the homeless since it is shameful for society as wealthy as America to have homeless people in the society. On the other hand, there are several people who are perceived to be homeless in the streets of America's cities but are capable of sustaining themselves. The opponents of assisting the homeless argue that such people have the potential to sustain themselves if the government and the society’s support system are withdrawn and therefore, assisting them only burdens the government and the society. For all the stakeholders to develop an effective homeless policy, there is a need for the development of mechanisms that will lead to a proper identification of the homeless. Identifying the correct population of the homeless people involves coming up with a proper definition of homelessness. Different definitions of homelessness are widely used in America. Those definitions are controversial since different stakeholders use a specific definition of homelessness to justify their action. One of the most effective and all-inclusive definitions is called the point in time definition. It is a one-time survey of all the institutions, the shelters, and all the other places on the street with a high tendency of...
Words: 1372 - Pages: 6
...complex overview of different elements (p.135). Some of the factors can be social, psychological, biological, and financial just to name a few. Thus, combining the individual’s complex elements to form the “whole person”. There is hardly a single issue when clients have problems. It can cause problems of living for the client. One thing can happen to the client and cause a domino effect. It is vital that professionals have the expectation of dealing with more than one problem while helping their client. When providing successful assistance, the human service professional must focus on the many components of the individual and the areas of support. Defining the problem. Defining the problem is a way to acknowledge what is essential for the client and a way to identify who they are. Sometimes, a problem can be a short-or long term issue and at times it can be both. “Problems usually indicate something exists that is causing the client to experience trouble or discomfort” (p. 137). A problem is identified as a situation, event, and/or a condition that causes the client burden. Some factors that defines the problem is cultural values of the society and the developmental need of the individual. The client sometimes may not...
Words: 1506 - Pages: 7
...We all need shelter, food, clothing and medical care, but there are other needs to take into consideration, such as personal hygiene, love, support, time and understanding. Therefore, even though it is important to know the needs of a homeless community, defining what they need can be unstable, because it depends on the current situation of people’s expectations. Expectations may oscillate since they are prone to change and people with a higher standard of living, may feel their needs are more than those living in poverty. For instance, people might base homelessness on housing conditions or more bed in a shelter, while others might argue for safer neighbourhood’s base on children need to play safe. According to (Kettner, Moroney & Martin, 2017), the perceived need is defined as what people think they might need or feel...
Words: 552 - Pages: 3
...Reducing World Poverty and Homelessness Inskip Rochford Professor: John Hilston Economic Problems and Issues 05/01/2011 Reducing World Poverty and Homelessness Reducing poverty has become a major concern of development policy. To inform policy, research on poverty has focused on income or consumption based poverty measures. Yet it is now increasingly realized that poverty is multidimensional, encompassing all important human requirements. Poverty is now widely viewed in terms of capability deprivation (Kakwani, 2006). The income approach views poverty simply as lack of income (or consumption). Poverty exists when some persons in the society have so little income that they cannot satisfy socially defined basic needs. But lack of income is not the only kind of deprivation people may suffer. Indeed, people can suffer acute deprivation in many aspects of life, beyond those defined as basic needs, even if they possess adequate command over commodities (for example, ill health or lack of education and so on). The conceptual distinction between deprivation of this kind and that primarily resulting from inadequacy of income is of fundamental importance (Kakwani, 2006). The higher a person’s income the greater is his or her command over commodities. The possession and consumption of commodities (including services) provides people with the means to lead a better life. However, possession of commodities is only a means to an end. As Sen (1985) points out “ultimately, the focus...
Words: 1907 - Pages: 8
...Goals and Objectives are part of the six fundamental policy elements that are essential to the development of all social policies. Goals work together but have different functions in this process. Somethings to consider with them are: if the goals and objectives are long term, short term, manifest, latent, and how to analyze the goals and objectives. When considering Unites States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), their goals and objectives you could begin to analyze what their mission is, as this should help to see what the purpose is of the program. They offer several assistance programs related to housing and other related needs; one of their grants is the homeless assistance, which offers help to individuals whom are homeless or a risk of becoming homeless, which can include emergency shelter, food, counseling, and even job training. There are four steps that can help to locating the organizations goals and objectives: locate the enabling legislation, locate legislative history, locate staff and committee studies and reports, and check other official sources or handbooks. (Chambers, 2005) Not all goals and objectives are long term, some are short term; this will vary with each social program. The length of time for specific goals and objectives could be determined by the funding of the program or by the social problem itself. There are also different types of goals, like manifest and latent. The definition of manifest is to make evident by showing...
Words: 850 - Pages: 4
...Department of Health and Human Services’ definition of what it means to be homeless stating a homeless person is, “ an individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (e.g., shelters) that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing.” Homelessness does not discriminate against age, adults and children are homeless. The most common causes of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and mental illness ("Facts And Figures: The Homeless", 2010). As of 2009, one in 50 children in America were homeless, or approximately 1.5 million ("Facts And Figures: The Homeless", 2010). According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 23 percent of homeless people are reported as chronically homeless ("Facts And Figures: The Homeless", 2010). This paper will explore the special problems the homeless encounter, the barriers they experience when receiving services, solutions to these barriers, assessment techniques,...
Words: 2258 - Pages: 10
...training in the culture-centered approach to gain, “accurate assessment, meaningful understanding, and appropriate intervention” (p. 11). A variety of factors can affect the understanding of a culturally diverse individual, such as homelessness, sexual harassment, and racism. Through an understanding of those three sociopolitical factors, psychologists and therapists can see the impact of these factors on psychological development, behavior, and distress. As a result, practices may be put in place to help minimize potentially harmful consequences. Homelessness Approximately two and a half million people are homeless and 30-50% of this group consists of families with children (Pedersen & Locke, 1999). According to Pederson and Locke (1999), homeless is defined if an individual meets one of the following criteria: • Inability to secure regular and stable housing • Primary residence is a public or private shelter • Occupying a place not designated for housing (p. 90). The homeless population accounts for 50% African American, 35% White, 12% Hispanic, 2% Native American, and 1% Asian (Almanac of Policy Issues, 2000). Reasons for homelessness can include poverty, unemployment, and the lack of job skills (Pederson & Locke, 1999). Homelessness creates the inability to develop a secure environment in which an individual may return to at the end of each day. Individuals...
Words: 1907 - Pages: 8
...Throughout the study of sociology, a reoccurring theme is that deviance seems to exist in the eye of the beholder, much like beauty. No act committed is automatically deviant, but must be defined as such. From as far back as medieval times to the present, it has always been the upper class dominating the lower class, those on the higher end of the social ladder that shapes the society people live in and define what deviant behaviour is and what is not. Those who have the power over such decisions can be classified as Moral Entrepreneurs, They strongly believe that their set of norms is the “right” way to live, their foundation is built on the belief that deviance lies within the individual, and therefore if you want to understand the deviance you must first seek out the problem within the individual and then treat them to get rid of deviance. Those who lack power and social standing are classified as the Cultural Paradigm and they have the complete opposite view of the Moral Entrepreneurs, they believe that the problem lies within society rather than in the individual therefore in order to deter deviance the problem that lies within society must be fixed. A clash of two titans in a one sided battle, however who is correct in terms of which manner is the better one to deter deviance. Should people be looking at the individual or at the society in which they live in? Through the eyes of great minds such as Becker, Kaplan, Denton and Parnaby it will become clearer that it is indeed...
Words: 1588 - Pages: 7
...Lauren Jassil1 1 2 3 Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120 Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C7, Canada The National Center on Family Homelessness, 181 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, USA Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, USA Abstract: Outreach and engagement are regarded by many who work in homeless programs as essential services. Outreach on the streets and in shelters is often the first point of contact for people who are not served by traditional sitebased services and is often the first step in engaging homeless people in services. While outreach and engagement are critical components of the response to homelessness, consensus is lacking about the nature and effectiveness of these services. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is known about outreach and engagement for people experiencing homelessness. The authors review quantitative studies that examine outcomes and augment this understanding with information from qualitative studies and non-research literature. The latter provides information about the goals of outreach, assumptions and values, staffing issues, and consumer involvement. The paper concludes with implications for practice, policy, and research. Keywords: Homeless/homelessness, outreach, engagement, review. INTRODUCTION At a recent discussion among outreach workers in Washington, DC, one participant described the reasons for providing outreach to people experiencing homelessness: “Waiting for people to come to us didn’t...
Words: 11383 - Pages: 46
...Policy by Karen Spuriel Coleman- MBA Abstract Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common, with an estimated annual prevalence of at least 5 percent for those ages 12 to 17. Although homeless youth appear throughout the nation, they are most visible in major cities. Rigorous research on this special population is sparse, making it difficult to capture an accurate and complete picture. Despite its limitations, recent research describes homeless youth as a large and diverse group. Many homeless youth have multiple overlapping problems including medical, substance abuse, and emotional and mental problems. Literature suggests that comprehensive and tailored services are needed that address both the immediate and long-term needs of homeless youth. Where appropriate, services should include assistance with meeting basic needs as perceived by youth as a gateway to other needed services. In addition to serving those already homeless, interventions are needed to prevent homelessness among at-risk youth. Lessons for Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Researchers • As used here, the term “homeless youth” focuses on minors who have experienced literal homelessness on their own—i.e., who have spent at least one night either in a shelter or "on the streets" without adult supervision. On occasion, where warranted by the research being discussed, the term is also used to describe homeless young adults up to age 24. • Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common...
Words: 15735 - Pages: 63
...June 23, 2016 Human Trafficking Defining the Problem Modern day slavery has hit like never before. Actual slavery is flourishing in our own backyards. The buying and selling of human beings for profit is a crime against humanity which still exists. A lot of the trafficking in America is done right under our noses, without us even knowing about it. It is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Human Trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for one of three purposes: involuntary servitude, debt bondage, slavery or sexual exploitation. Trafficking has three basic elements: The Act (meaning what is done) The Means (meaning how it is done) The Purpose (meaning why it is done) The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPA) is a very vital bill which will replace the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, which established the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The original legislation was designed to combat trafficking in the US and the new Act builds upon the original Act to improve it in many different ways. The TVPA provides both international and domestic provisions. (FIGHTSLAVERYNOW...
Words: 2040 - Pages: 9
...involvement in premarital sex at r=.569, r2 =.347, f (1,218) = 56.47 and <.05 significant level. There was a significant difference significant difference in involvement in premarital sex between adolescents from single parent and intact homes at X2-observed=22.46, 1degree of freedom and p <0.05. It was concluded that parental involvement is paramount in adolescents’ premarital sexual behaviour. It was recommended that government, religious bodies and individuals should uphold the sacred institution of marriage for wellbeing of our children. Adejumo, G. O (2011) Family Structure and Social Support as Determinants of Family Homelessness in Lagos Metropolis Journal of Functional Management, Leads University, Volume 3 No.1. Abstract Homelessness among families is tremendously destructive and exacts enormous human, social and economic costs. This study examined the family structure and social support as...
Words: 3918 - Pages: 16
...Public Health Approaches to social problems. TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENT PAGE Introduction 1 Community Psychology Approach 1 Public Health Approach 1 Similarities between both approaches 2 Differences between both approaches 2-3 Conclusion 3 1/… Introduction In my critical evaluation of the Community Psychology Approach and the Public Health Approaches to social problems, I will begin by explaining what each approach is about, then draw similarities and differences between the two approaches and then end my evaluation with a discussion on the controversies surrounding the two approaches and the way forward. Community Psychology Approach Community Psychology became popular in South Africa in the 1980’s when psychologists were looking for an answer to the political upheaval and the sense of helplessness that it caused. The focus of Community Psychology is on social and cultural influences on...
Words: 975 - Pages: 4
...Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness Houston/ Harris County Blue Ribbon Commission to End Chronic Homelessness Houston/Harris County May 2006 Table of Contents COMPONENTS OF THE 10 YEAR PLAN 1. Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness……………………………………Tab 1 a. Context b. Synthesis of Research Findings c. Strategic Plan Goals d. Summary of Year 1 Action Steps e. Funding Requirements f. Summary of Data Report Findings g. Models used to Develop Plan 2. Summary of System Management Function…………………………………Tab 2 3. Enumeration and Needs Assessment………………………………………...Tab 3 a. Enumeration b. Community Profile c. Profiles of Specific Sub-Populations d. Conclusions e. Recommendations 4. Gaps Analysis……………………...………………………………………...…..Tab 4 5. Rapid Re-housing Demonstration Report………………………………….....Tab 5 a. Pierce Intervention Evaluation 6. Open Doors Report………………………………………………………………Tab 6 a. Rapid Assessment of Needs of Hurricane Evacuees Blue Ribbon Commission to End Chronic Homelessness Anna Babin United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast David Benson Harris County Commissioners Court David S Buck, MD, MPH Department of Family & Community Medicine Baylor College of Medicine James Calaway Center for Houston’s Future Robert Eury Central Houston, Inc. The Most Reverend Bishop Fiorenza The Diocese of Galveston – Houston Skip Kasdorf Greater Houston Partnership Richard Lapin City of Houston Anna Leal Houston Endowment, Inc. The Honorable Pat Lykos Harris County Anthony Love Coalition for the...
Words: 17499 - Pages: 70
