Analysis Of Domestic Violence Among Homeless Women

Majority of homeless individual are women. They are at a greater risk than men because they are most likely to bear child-rearing responsibilities and are vulnerable to become victims of violence.

The Homeless Period On average, women spend about $3,360 on essential feminine hygiene products throughout their entire lives, but what happens when a woman cannot even afford her monthly menstrual expenses? Every month homeless women are put on a crisis situation recurring to extreme methods to cope with their periods. These women want to feel clean; unfortunately, they do not have the means to do so because pads and tampons are expensive. In fact, they are taxed as luxury items in more than thirty states. As of today, there is not a clear policy as to where homeless women can find free feminine hygiene products when they need them. This is more paupers’ problem, it is a health, hygiene, and dignity issue. The government needs to make a legislation that allows homeless women to get free pads and tampons The means by which homeless women cope with their periods are unbelievable. In their own voice periods “brings inconvenience to the level of misery” (Shay). When these women cannot afford to buy feminine hygiene products, they use whatever they can to keep themselves clean. Some of the common substitutes of pads and tampons are “toilet paper, paper towels, plastic bags, towels, cotton balls, makeup pads, socks, and [old clothes]” (How do Homeless Women Cope with Their Periods). On bad days, some women even have to reuse the same rag multiple times by washing it, drying it, and putting it back in. Feminine hygiene products are expensive and sometimes half, if not all, of what

There have been several presidents who have earned the title 'great' for the leadership and vision they demonstrated during their service in the White House, including Thomas Jefferson, James K. Polk, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. Today however I want to honor one president above all others, George Washington. Each of these men led the United States through a period of crisis and conflict. In my eyes the one that stands out the most is George Washington

The common profile of a homeless family is headed by a single mother, in her 20’s with an average of two children, of which one or both are under the age of six. Homeless mothers tend to be poorly educated, unemployed, and lacking the skills necessary to become employed. There is an equal representation of Caucasian (47%) and African American (47%) homeless mothers. These women commonly described their lives as ““… a remarkably constant stream of distressing and spirit-breaking encounters, beginning in early childhood …” including experiencing physical and/or sexual abuse, constant crisis, stress from persistent poverty, violence in the family and community, and isolation. Most of these women grew up homeless and spent their childhood in foster care making them distrustful of the system.

The homeless and addicts have been stratified to the bottom of the social ladder. They are thought to be deviants therefore as a society we are taught to ignore and despise them and disregard their needs. Bourgeois and Schonberg’s 10-year study, Righteous Dopefiend, follows the lives of heroin addicted homeless folk living on Edgewater Boulevard. The Edgewater homeless recognize that those with economic capital have a responsibility in caring for their needs thus they embrace their worthiness in society. As a result of this they label themselves as “righteous dopefiends” (2009, p. 5). Bourgeois and Schonberg show how structural violence has affected the Edgewater homeless, such as self-blame, lack of access to quality medical care and what

People often think that homelessness only affects men and women but in reality homelessness also affects families “It is estimated that 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness every year. Among this group, 17 percent are single women and 30 percent are families with children” (Finfgeld-Connet, 2010, p.1). It is said that women along with their children are among the fastest growing homeless population and not only does it impact women but it also impacts their children significantly.

Homeless families compose a fraction of the homeless population as they “represent roughly a third of the homeless population in the United States (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2010), and approximately 1.5 million children—1 in 50 youngsters—are homeless each year in the United States” (p. 389). These homeless families often struggle to find permanent residency as a collective unit. There are several types of housing situations available for homeless families such as temporary housing, transitional housing settings, and shelters, yet the housing situation for homeless families often causes stress for families as stability and a secure home is always in question. “The lack of stable, consistent housing is the central, defining characteristic of families experiencing homelessness, distinguishing them and their experience(s) from those with stable housing who experience other correlated conditions (e.g., poverty)” (Kilmer, Cook, Crusto, Strater, and Haber, 2012, p. 394). Homeless families often seek different types of housing usually by first reaching out to temporary shelters in emergency situations like domestic violence that often lead to homelessness, which provide services for children and families. There are many challenges families encounter in the process of seeking permanent housing.

Homelessness is an enormous social issue in the United States. Unfortunately, the rate of homelessness in the United States is high, with roughly 549,928 people sleeping on the streets every night. Although the causes of homelessness are widely varied, experiencing episodes of homelessness is an extremely stressful situation which can have physical, psychological, mental, and emotional tolls on an individual. Defining homelessness as individuals not living in traditional housing, such as living in tents or sleeping on the street, homelessness is very dangerous, and the homeless population is the most vulnerable demographic in the country. The situation for women and girls experiencing homelessness, however, is even worse. Homeless women are highly susceptible to violence from sexual predators because of their high level of vulnerability, and their social status in society, combined with the high stress of homelessness places them at an alarmingly high rate of sexual victimization. A study sampling 974 homeless women in Los Angeles found that thirteen percent of the women interviewed reported being raped once in the past year, and half of them reported being raped twice in the past year. In order to reduce the occurrence of sexual and physical violence towards women experiencing homelessness, cities should implement strategies specifically targeting homeless women, helping them temporarily get off the street, and eliminating barriers to homeless women reporting their

From all the harsh conditions an individual faces while searching for proper housing and food, their life span is shortened by forty five years. Women are more typically to be seen homeless compared to men because of several reasons. Some would be sexual abuse within a home or foster care, or abuse from an adult partner. Women and children are 50% more likely to be homeless as a way to escape domestic violence. More than 70% to 80% of women and children are turned away from shelters because there is not

I find it is most appropriate to begin with the causes of homelessness in America. The circumstances are unique and it is difficult to pinpoint one main cause. As stated in the most recent annual survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, major cities across the country report that the top four causes of homelessness among families were: lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, and low wages. The same report found that the top causes of homelessness among solitary individuals were lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illness accompanied by the lack of needed services, and substance abuse. For women in particular, though, domestic violence is the primary reason for experiencing homelessness.

Two contemporary social problems of interest are transitional housing needs for homeless mothers and domestic violence in the African American community. Fischer (2000) wrote homeless families face the economic and personal challenges of sparse employment opportunities, child care and nutrition needs, compounded by the loss of adequate housing. Those with the greatest risk of being unemployed and of becoming long term welfare dependent are teen mothers (Fischer, 2000). In addition, depression and the loss of self-confidence are direct results of being homeless. Homelessness destroys self-esteem and promotes hopelessness.

According to the National Coalition to the Homeless, Nationally, approximately half of all women and children experiencing homelessness are flamed domestic violence.

The impact of divorce, battering, and other family disruptions in combination with economic insecurity and primary responsibility for their children lead many women towards homelessness. It is believed that half of all homeless women have been a victim of some form of domestic violence, based on self-reporting and observations of various programs staffers. (National Research Council, 1996). However, the numbers of homeless domestic violence victims may be underestimated because some victims are reluctant to self-report. Homeless women seldom view their abuse as their primary problem and may not reveal that they are victims. In some cases, if a woman reports that she is a victim of domestic violence, a homeless shelter may refuse to accept her for security reasons. Most shelters do not offer services to women unless they conform to the criteria that distinctly makes them part of the particular group the shelter program targets. Programs can be specifically geared towards battered, homeless women and have been a great success in dealing with the emotions of the situation.

Complications in relationships can end in an individual or a family without a home. Sometimes an issue with family or friends can drive someone out of their home to living on the street. The loss of a loved one who is the main source of income can force their family to move out due to the expenses of housing. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women. Without enough income, these women choose to live on the streets rather than continue their abuse. A family

The cost of housing is on the rise and many become homeless because they that are not making enough money to afford the cost of housing. The cost of health care and insurance has risen dramatically over the past years. For families living low or middle incomes that can be devastating. Families or individuals that lack health insurance, a sudden illness, chronic disease or accident can be financially devastating. Many people don’t understand the problems homeless families are facing and most families are homeless because of finical situations or because