Homelessness in America: Causes, Conditions, and Predictions

Running head: HOMELESSNESS 1
Social Issue Essay
Student
Institution

HOMELESSNESS 2
Homelessness in America
Introduction
Homelessness is a major social issue in America since the 18th century. As per the 2018
report by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were approximately
553,000 people being homeless, 0.17 percent of America’s population (Neale, 2016). In this
essay, the nature of homelessness in America will be explained. An application of theoretical
perspective towards homelessness will also be done. Last, the essay will predict the state of
homelessness in the next 5 years to both America and the world at large.
Causes and Conditions of Homelessness
The nature of homelessness is often complex and interactive in nature. According to
(Neiditch, 2017), social forces such as family breakdown, poor economic state, addictions,
mental illness, high cost of living, and inadequate mental health services cause homelessness in
the world. The Unites States of America for example has approximately 553,000 people living
homeless in the streets and reserves. In the modern day, issues of family breakdown have raised
and this leaves children homeless, and some of them become street boys and girls. The other
causes of homelessness are laziness, lack of education, demotivation, inadequate resources, and
lack of dedication.
Conflict Theory and Homelessness
In reference to conflict theory, capitalism is attributed to the homelessness issue in the
world and particularly America. Capitalism divides those who have capital with those who do
not have. According to (Neale, 2016), potential social forces like capitalism, patriarchy,
imperialism, and home ownership and homeless people lose stake in all of them. In Karl Marx’s
conflict theory, the society is made up of two classes, the workers and owners. Basically, the
workers get exploited by owners by being denied access to basic needs such as food and shelter.
Under Karl Marx conflict theory, capitalist society like America consider wealth as a resource
earned through hard work, education or dedication (Neale, 2016). The homeless people are
seen to be demotivated, lazy, and uneducated. Therefore, capitalism causes homelessness in
America.