For This Assignment, Imagine You Have Been Asked To Speak
For This Assignment Imagine You Have Been Asked To Speak At a Confere
For this assignment, imagine you have been asked to speak at a conference about your selected social problem. Create a PowerPoint presentation to present all that you have learned about the social problem you selected: Describe the selected social problem in a social context: What elements of society contribute to this problem, and how can it be alleviated? What has perpetuated the problem? Summarize actual solutions to your selected social problem you found in research and compare them to historical solutions. The PowerPoint presentation should consist of 12-15 slides not including the title slide and slide for APA citations. Images may be included in the presentation, but be sure to keep all image sizes low for this presentation.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Addressing social problems through academic presentations requires a comprehensive understanding of their origins, perpetuating factors, social context, and potential solutions. For this purpose, I have selected homelessness—a persistent social issue affecting various societies worldwide. The following presentation delves into the social problem of homelessness, exploring societal elements contributing to it, solutions suggested by current research, and an overview of historical responses.
Understanding Homelessness in a Social Context
Homelessness is a complex social problem rooted in economic, political, and cultural factors. Economic downturns can lead to widespread unemployment and housing affordability crises, which significantly increase homelessness rates. Conversely, societal structures such as inadequate social safety nets and healthcare systems further exacerbate the issue's persistence (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). Additionally, cultural attitudes, including stigmatization and social exclusion, hinder effective intervention and perpetuate negative stereotypes about homeless populations.
Elements Contributing to Homelessness
Several societal elements contribute to homelessness. First, economic instability—such as recession and inflation—limits individuals' ability to maintain stable housing. Second, systemic issues like a shortage of affordable housing and rising rental costs diminish accessible options for vulnerable populations (Fitzpatrick & Stephens, 2018). Third, mental health and substance abuse disorders, often underfunded in healthcare systems, increase the likelihood of homelessness (Tsai & Coyle, 2016). Lastly, social marginalization and racial disparities contribute to unequal access to housing and supportive services (Cuevas et al., 2019).
Perpetuation of the Problem
The perpetuation of homelessness often stems from cyclical factors such as poverty, systemic failures, and social exclusion. Once individuals become homeless, barriers like limited access to healthcare, employment, and social services hinder their pathway to stability (Padgett et al., 2016). Moreover, societal stigma discourages policy reforms and community support, maintaining a cycle of marginalization and homelessness (Greenberg & Rosenheck, 2018).
Current Research-Supported Solutions
Research advocates for multifaceted approaches to combat homelessness. Housing First models, which prioritize immediate access to permanent housing combined with supportive services, have proven effective in numerous studies (Tsemberis et al., 2010). Other solutions include increasing affordable housing stock, expanding mental health and substance use services, and enhancing employment programs tailored for homeless populations (Kertesz, 2019). Community-based interventions and integrated healthcare models have also shown promise in addressing the root causes and reducing recidivism (Culhane et al., 2013).
Historical Solutions and Their Effectiveness
Historically, responses to homelessness involved shelter provisions and charity-based aid. While these measures provided immediate relief, they often failed to address underlying systemic issues, rendering them insufficient for long-term solutions (Fitzpatrick & Stephens, 2018). The deinstitutionalization movement of the mid-20th century, which closed large mental health facilities, inadvertently increased homelessness among individuals with mental illnesses, revealing gaps in community-based support systems (Torrey, 2014). The shift towards more comprehensive, evidence-based solutions such as Housing First emerged as a response to these limitations, offering sustainable pathways to stability (Tsemberis et al., 2010).
Comparison of Solutions Over Time
While past strategies primarily focused on emergency aid and charity, modern solutions emphasize systemic change, prevention, and recovery frameworks. The evolution from temporary sheltering to permanent housing solutions reflects a deeper understanding of the social determinants of homelessness. Current research emphasizes proactive, evidence-based interventions that not only provide shelter but also foster independence and integration into society, contrasting sharply with previous reactive approaches.
Conclusion
The social problem of homelessness is deeply embedded in societal structures and requires a nuanced, systemic approach for effective alleviation. Understanding the elements that contribute to homelessness and how they have fused historically and presently guides the development of more effective solutions. Progress in addressing homelessness depends on policy reforms, community engagement, and sustainable housing initiatives rooted in current research evidence, marking a shift from temporary measures to comprehensive, long-term strategies.
References
- Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., & Hadley, T. (2013). Homelessness prevention: A review of evidence. Journal of Social Issues, 69(4), 679-697.
- Cuevas, C., et al. (2019). Racial disparities in housing and homelessness. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, 5(2), 173-189.
- Fitzpatrick, S., & Stephens, L. (2018). The systemic causes of homelessness: An analysis. Housing Studies, 33(7), 1029-1045.
- Greenberg, G. A., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2018). Poverty, social exclusion, and homelessness: Policy perspectives. Social Policy & Society, 17(3), 405-416.
- Kertesz, S. G. (2019). The role of supportive services in ending homelessness. Journal of Psychiatric Services, 70(4), 276-281.
- National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2020). State of Homelessness: 2020 Edition. https://endhomelessness.org/resource/2020-annual-homelessness-assessment-report/
- Padgett, D. K., Stanhope, V., Henwood, B. F., & Stefancic, A. (2016). Substance use outcomes among homeless adults with mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 67(2), 177-184.
- Torrey, E. F. (2014). The deinstitutionalization movement and its consequences. Psychiatric Services, 65(5), 620-621.
- Tsemberis, S., et al. (2010). Housing first, consumer choice, and harm reduction for homeless individuals with a dual diagnosis. American Journal of Public Health, 100(5), 852-858.
- Tsai, J., & Coyle, C. (2016). Mental health and homelessness. Journal of Public Health Policy, 37(3), 302-317.