Question

How might a sociologist see homelessness from a cultural context? Does a global perspective of homelessness influence our perception of homelessness in America?

Answer 1

Homelessness is definitely related to culture. If we look at the collective cultures where people live together has a house for all because there is belongingness without any expectation. Whereas in materialistic cultures that promote individualism, everyone is a separate entity and people value material over other people including their own family.

Governments strive hard to keep this gap between the rich and the poor which has an adverse effect on people from the lower levels of the society. America is one such country that with all their richness and superpower status has more homeless people because of its materialistic culture. The hire and fire policy, more drug usage, individual freedom etc. are few of the major reasons for people become homeless.