Social Justice Implications of Female Homelessness in Australia

This essay critically reflects on female homelessness in Australia, arguing that it is directly related to social justice and negatively impacts society. The essay explores the increasing number of homeless women, often linked to domestic violence, lack of economic support, and familial complexities. It highlights how domestic violence disrupts social justice, impacts societal structures, and violates human rights. Counterarguments are presented, suggesting that some women may choose homelessness for independence. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for concrete strategies to reduce female homelessness in Australia, acknowledging its roots in factors like divorce and economic instability, and its devastating impact on societal justice. References are provided to support the arguments.

Running head: SOCIAL JUSTICE
Social Justice
Name of the Student-
Name of the University-
Author note-

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Introduction
Aiming to critically reflect upon the idea of “Female Homelessness in Australia”, the
essay will endeavor to delve deeper into the subtle and important aspects related to the topic. The
following paragraphs will argue that female homelessness is directly related to social justice and
negatively impacts society. However, the essay will also provide counterarguments to look at the
other side of the proposition. The succeeding paragraphs will shed light on the critical impacts of
female homelessness upon the societal structures.
Discussion
It had to be accepted that the concept and prevalence of “female Homelessness in
Australia” is directly reflective of the flaws vested in society. Recent studies project the notion
that the number of homeless women are increasing and even exceeding the older homeless men
in Australia (Naidoo, 2018). It can be mentioned that the surge in homeless women can
negatively impact the patterns of social justice prevalent in the Australian society. A closer look
at the occurrences of ‘female homelessness’ reveals the rampant presence of domestic violence,
lack of economic support as well as marital and familial complexities (Nerada, 2018). Here, the
term ‘homelessness’ refers to the state of the women who tend to move from one place to
another in search of social and economic security. Recent studies are emblematic of the fact that
domestic and family violence are the leading cause for the ‘hidden homeless’ nature of the
female population who are unrecognized (Noone, 2018).
The presence and perpetration of domestic violence in Australian society negatively
impacts the aspect of delivery of social justice. Statistical data indicate that domestic violence
cases are higher in rural and regional areas of NSW (White Ribbon Australia, 2019). This is

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indicative of the idea that domestic violence impacts the society. Rampant domestic and family
violence paves the way for the disruption in the distribution of social justice in society. Domestic
violence also paves the way for societal injustices that are meted to women. Rampant domestic
violence also compels women to opt for ‘homelessness’. It is also revealed that domestic
violence not only negatively impacts women but also leads to the disruption in the societal
relationships (Francis, 2018). It is also observed that practice of domestic violence also
negatively impacts the community endeavors to sustain social justice. The occurrence of ‘female
homelessness’ is directly related to the societal and moral degeneration as ‘female homelessness’
is the result of women escaping the perpetrators of domestic crime (Salter, 2014). This is
reflective of the intrinsic need for social and community justice to identity the homeless cases
and deliver justice.
The societal factor of lack of stable economic support of women in Australia is one of the
leading causes of homelessness. Recent studies project the idea that in order to search for stable
economic pursuit, women often tend to shift places and garner the category of being homeless
(Mayock & Bretherton ). Needless to say, in order to avoid the pangs of domestic violence,
women are often seen being ‘homeless’ to search for various opportunities. It is indeed the duty
of society and societal justice to erase the cases of homelessness by generating equal
opportunities. It can also be reflected that providing varied economic options to women can curb
the surge in ‘female homelessness’ in Australia. In terms of the social impact, it is seen that older
women who had raised their children and do not possess any steady job are likely to be homeless
(The Conversation, 2019). This is indicative of the resultant economic as well a social
disequilibrium in Australia. Further, the increase in ‘female homelessness’ can yield an impact
upon the basic Human Rights of each member of the society (Humanrights.gov.au, 2019). Being

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homeless is a violation of basic human rights. Female homelessness is also against the norms of
social justice. It is seen that older women in Australia receive only one-third superannuation
money collected by men. This leads to the perpetration of female homelessness
(Humanrights.gov.au, 2019). This negatively impacts the aspect of proper delivery of social
justice.
Despite the innumerable negative impacts of homelessness upon the societal structures,
this is a debatable area. It can be mentioned that ‘female homelessness’ is a positive occurrence
that enables women to live life following their own terms as well as ideologies. Further,
discussing the role of perspectives in ‘female homelessness’ can bring forth the idea that in many
cases, women deliberately opt to be ‘homeless’ to lead an independent life that is not dictated by
the norms of others. Recent studies are emblematic of the idea that Australian women are more
inclined towards leading an independent life (Heath & Cleaver, 2016). A closer analysis of the
situation will project that many reformations and measures are being adopted for the betterment
of the state of the women who are classified as ‘homeless’. It is seen that measures such as
proper implementation of legal measures can assist in reducing the surge in the cases of female
homelessness. Thus, it can be mentioned that there are certain positive impacts of ‘female
homelessness’. It can also be said that in order to gauge the exact negative impacts of ‘female
homelessness’ it is essential to take into consideration the various other contributing factors such
as mental illness and personal choices. However, discarding the negative impacts is not correct
because it has to be accepted that the negative impacts on society outweighs the other impacts.
Conclusion
After analyzing the above-discussed ideas, it can be concluded that the need of the hour is
to adopt concrete strategies to reduce the cases of Australian ‘female homelessness’. It can also

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be concluded that ‘female homelessness’ is the result of various factors such as divorce,
domestic violence and economic instability. It is seen that these ideas negatively social structure
in Australia. In conclusion, it can also be said that though there are contesting areas, the
occurrence of ‘female homelessness’ yields a devastating impact on the societal community and
justice.

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References
Francis, A. (2018). 'You feel guilty for your children': facing life on the street with young child.
Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-04/homeless-woman-domestic-
violence-victims/10072242
Heath, S., & Cleaver, E. (2016). Young, free and single?. Routledge Handbook of Youth and
Young Adulthood, 199.
Humanrights.gov.au (2019). Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue | Australian Human Rights
Commission. [online] Humanrights.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/rights-and-freedoms/publications/
homelessness-human-rights-issue [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019].
Humanrights.gov.au. (2017). Risk of Homelessness in Older Women | Australian Human Rights
Commission. Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/age-
discrimination/projects/risk-homelessness-older-women
Mayock, P., & Bretherton, J. (Eds.). (2016). Women's Homelessness in Europe. London,
England: Palgrave Macmillan.
Naidoo, I. (2018). Increasingly, Australia's homeless are not old men. Retrieved from
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-average-homeless-person-in-
australia-is-not-an-old-man-20180810-p4zwpw.html

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Nerada, P. (2018). Homelessness Is On The Rise Among Women in Sydney. Retrieved from
https://www.marieclaire.com.au/homelessness-sydney-women.
Noone, Y. (2018). Why women in Australia are considered the 'hidden homeless'. Retrieved
from https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2018/07/11/why-women-
australia-are-considered-hidden-homeless
Salter, M. (2014). Multi-perpetrator domestic violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15(2), 102-
112.
The Conversation. (2019). More and more older Australians will be homeless unless we act now.
Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/more-and-more-older-australians-will-be-
homeless-unless-we-act-now-87685
White Ribbon Australia. (2019). Domestic violence statistics, rates & figures | White Ribbon
Australia. Retrieved from https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/understand-domestic-
violence/facts-violence-women/domestic-violence-statistics/