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Homeless Men/Women and the Differences in Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeless Men/Women

And the

Differences in Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

The homeless population is comprised of more men than women according to research. These families go through a lot just to survive and stay safe. Therefore, this issue is developing to be a major issue among many states as it emerged in more than a century ago and was driven by the great depression in the United States. This has therefore, become a major issue to the government hence the need to conduct the research on this field. Moreover, researchers have often neglected research on the difference between the homeless men and women and this has been a motive to focus this research on the existing gap. The study is expected to help governments, states and organizations to understand and deal with the rising problem of homelessness and in budgeting and delivery of public services.

This study will involve a survey that used instruments such as interviews and observation in collection of data. However, most of the information was obtained through secondary research on peer reviewed sources that were of relevant to the topic of study. Through the secondary research, it was found that men make up most of the homeless population while they also suffered more than the women following a number of favors and services that are only available for the women and not the men. More men also engaged in drug and substance abuse as compared to the number of homeless women who also engaged in the same activities. This was backed up with the research conducted.

The following are some of the recommendations of this study; the society needs to get off the stereotype that men cannot fall victims of domestic violence, that they can’t be homeless with their kids and that men are strong and cannot suffer the many social problems. Also, the society should approach this problem without gender bias so as to fix the problem in all the circumstances. Future research should focus on finding more recommendations.

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction

Homeless men and homeless women are very different and in most cases, the homeless populations are believed to be more of male than females. According to the latest report by SAHMSA, the homeless population is approximated to comprise 51 percent of single men as single women made up 24 percent while the remaining 23 percent were families which in most cases are single mothers and their children (Quigley & Steven, 2001). The number of homeless men and women in every state sum up to more than ten thousand but it is difficult to tell exactly where these populations are. Due to this factor, it is quite difficult to determine the exact statistics on the level of homelessness with respect to gender and track the homeless population. These people do not want to identify as homeless following the increased risk of them being attacked. In addition, the homeless women prefer not to stay in shelters or anywhere close to men. For their, defense, they tend to dress like men and do whatever it takes to belong. This includes hiding for safety by spending the nights in cars or sleeping during the day so as to stay alert during the night. This presents quite some difference with men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background and Statement of the Problem

Homelessness among both men and women is becoming a big problem in the United States and other parts of the world. This phenomenon emerged as a national issue in the 1870s when many homeless individuals began showing up in urban cities. This problem is as a result of various conditions such as unemployment and laziness that was further driven by the great depression. Moreover, the homeless population often find life harder than other people as they have to deal with problems including health, substance abuse and basic needs. The government also finds it hard to take the homeless away from the streets or providing them with public services. In addition, the two gender, male and female, experience homelessness differently therefore, it is important to conduct a research on this phenomenon. Most researchers have always focused their studies on causes and effects of homelessness with no consideration on the difference between homelessness in men and women.

This created a gap in research that this study intends to fill. The research literature on, “Homeless Men/Women and The Difference “ indicates that we know that homelessness among both men and women is becoming a big problem in the United States and other parts of the world. This phenomenon emerged as a national issue in the 1870s when many homeless individuals began showing up in urban cities. This problem is as a result of various conditions such as unemployment and laziness that was further driven by the great depression. Moreover, the homeless population often fined life harder than other people as they have to deal with problems including health, substance abuse and basic needs. The government also finds it hard to take the homeless away from the streets or providing them with public services. In addition, the two gender, male and female, experience homelessness differently therefore, it is important to conduct a research on this phenomenon.

 

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research is to describe the various differences in services amongst homeless single adult men and homeless single adult women. For example, in 2016 there were 667 individuals that went unsheltered. How many of them were men and how many of them were women? Research doesn’t show how many of them were homeless men because there is a walk-in emergency shelter for homeless men so the masses (mayor, governor, etc.) figure that these men are living out on the street by choice. However, research does not show out of that 667 ratio, how many of them is women. Women don’t matter unless children are involved, and society doesn’t want to be held accountable or say homeless adult single women exist because there is no walk-in shelter for these women.

Significance of the Study

This research will be significant in a number of way, it will help governments increase accuracy in budget allocations that pertains to gender. It helps the government deal with the problem of homelessness of men and women. It will contribute to the future literature review for further research into the field of homelessness and other related fields and most of all it will help single homeless women from all walks of life. As the number of homeless men and women increase it is vital to understand their differences in terms of places of origin and how they are affected by the whole social problem. Baggett, O’connell, Singer and Rigotti (2010) confer with Rukmana (2010) on the great differences in characteristics of homeless men and women. While there could be certain issues touching on homelessness based on ethnic communities, the author offers a solid base for understanding homelessness from a gender-based perspective. Rukmana (2010) hypothesizes that residential origins of homeless women are less concentrated and more widely spread in the low-income neighborhoods compared to those of their male counterparts.

 

 

 

Research Question

· How are the Greater New Haven shelters meeting its mission from the perspective of the clients?

· Are there perceived inequities between services offered to homeless adult men as to homeless adult women?

Research Design

 

 

 

Assumptions

The chosen participants are sincerely interested in participating in this research and have no other unknown motives. The participants are expected to answer research questions candidly and honestly. In the study, the number of women who responded to the survey was 396, while 796 homeless men participated in the survey (Rukmana, 2010). Census tract group were created for the quantitative data for two major reasons; reducing the unit numbers of analysis for analyzing small number of prior residential address records and reducing the wide variety of denominators. For the collected data, the author used statistical tests in determining the residential differences between homeless men and homeless women.

Limitations

Unknown factors or conditions may exist where participants operate that could cause bias on their responses. The feelings, situations and events of the participants could be questionable.

 

 

 

Scope (Delimitations)

The scope of the study covered homeless persons from all gender, that is, both female and male, within United States of America. Basically, the research project looks at homelessness plays out for men and women, and how these differences can be looked out. Most importantly, as advance by Shinn (2010), the study aims at helping governments, states and organizations to understand and deal with the rising problem of homelessness and in budgeting and delivery of public services.

Definitions

Gender – Socially constructed characteristics – norms and roles – of men and women (World Health Organization, n.d.). Gender is based on culture and conduct must be aligned with the “normative conceptions of attitudes appropriate for a person’s sex (Mavin & Grandy, 2012).

Homelessness – refers to the condition where an individual or persons lack a fixed, regular and adequate place to reside at night (Quigley & Steven, 2001).

Homeless men – refer to male persons that do not have a fixed, adequate and regular place of nighttime residence (Nieto et al., 2008).

Homeless women – are the females who live without a fixed, regular and adequate place of residing at night (Nieto et al., 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Introduction

 

 

Theoretical Framework

 

 

Review of Related Studies

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

 

Introduction

 

Research Question

 

Research Design

 

Target Population

Inclusionary Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

 

Procedures

Data Collection

Data Analysis

 

Role of the Researcher

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

Introduction

 

Description of the Sample

 

Research Methodology Applied to the Data Analysis

 

Presentation of Data and Results of the Analysis

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS and RECOMENDATIONS

Introduction

The introduction contains:

A. A brief introduction to the chapter

B. A description of the purpose of the chapter

C. A description of how the chapter fits into the overall dissertation manuscript

D. The organization of the chapter

 

Summary of Findings

1. Interpretation of findings

(Answer research Question, explain results, unexpected results)

2. Comparing findings to literature

3. Implications of findings: What did you learn; How did what you learned add to your existing knowledge (improve, add or change); Why is what you learned important

Conclusion

1. Summarize the entire project:

· What you set out to do (purpose),

· What you did (methods),

· What you found (results) – here you are affirming your reasoning through the thesis and the evidence accumulated

· What new questions do you have.

2. Recommendations: Based on what you learned what recommendations do you have for leaders, followers, and future studies. Also what recommendations do you have to investigate issues not supported by the data but which, in the researcher’s opinion, are related to the study, would cast light on this study or on the relevant theory and research, and which ought to be followed up.

 

References

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