The Issue Of Homelessness As Seen In Shelter Tara L

The Issue of Homelessness as Seen in Shelter Tara L.

For this assignment, I chose to watch Shelter (2014). This emotional movie follows the story of two vastly different individuals who depend on each other for survival while living on the streets of New York City. The main diversity issue in this movie is low socio-economic status, specifically homelessness. The secondary diversity issues include immigration, poverty, religion and faith, women’s issues, and drug addiction, which are common themes among America's homeless population. Homelessness, as defined in our textbook, is the lowest possible socio-economic status and is described as a byproduct of poverty (BOR, p. 53). The film highlights the profound physical and emotional suffering associated with homelessness and exposes how it affects not only individuals but society at large.

Paper For Above instruction

Homelessness represents a complex and multifaceted social issue that fundamentally impacts individuals and communities. The primary issue depicted in Shelter is homelessness caused by socio-economic deprivation. The narrative illustrates how individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, can fall into homelessness due to a combination of personal tragedies and systemic failures. The secondary issues—immigration, addiction, gender issues, and faith—intertwine with homelessness, emphasizing how intersecting identities and social determinants influence vulnerability and resilience.

Main Diversity Issue: Homelessness

The main diversity issue in the film is homelessness, characterized by lack of stable housing and economic resources. According to the textbook, homelessness can be defined as the absence of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, often resulting from poverty, unemployment, mental illness, or systemic failures (BOR, p. 53). The film vividly portrays how homelessness deprives individuals of basic needs such as shelter, safety, and access to healthcare, thereby exacerbating their physical and mental health issues. The protagonists, Tahir and Hannah, embody these struggles, each having experienced immense loss and hardship that led them to the streets.

Secondary issues include immigration, illustrated through Tahir's status as an illegal Nigerian refugee, which exposes him to exploitation and limited access to healthcare. Addiction is depicted through Hannah’s heroin use as a means of coping with emotional trauma. Gender issues are subtly examined, particularly through Hannah's experiences as a woman in a vulnerable state living on the streets. Faith and religion are also present as sources of solace and community among the homeless, highlighting the importance of spiritual support in difficult circumstances.

Impact on Individuals and Society

Individuals impacted by homelessness often face health disparities, social exclusion, and psychological trauma. Tahir’s illness and lack of healthcare exemplify how systemic barriers prevent homeless individuals from receiving adequate medical care, leading to deterioration in health. Hannah, who struggles with addiction, illustrates how emotional and mental health issues are intertwined with homelessness. These conditions diminish individuals’ self-worth and hinder their chances of reintegration into society.

On a societal level, homelessness strains social services, healthcare systems, and law enforcement agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, 2022), over 580,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in the United States, with over 200,000 children among them. The economic burden of homelessness includes increased healthcare costs, law enforcement, and emergency services (Fazel et al., 2014). Moreover, homelessness perpetuates cycles of poverty, affecting community stability and economic productivity.

Statistical data indicates that homelessness disproportionately affects minorities, particularly African Americans and Native Americans, due to structural inequalities rooted in systemic racism and economic disparities (Kushel & Hwang, 2016). These disparities limit access to education, employment, and affordable housing for vulnerable populations, increasing their risk of homelessness.

Personal Connection and Reflection

While I have not experienced homelessness personally, I have encountered it closely through volunteering at local shelters and observing homeless individuals in urban settings. These experiences taught me the importance of compassion and understanding, and I recognize how societal neglect can perpetuate this issue. Personally, I relate to the resilience displayed by characters like Tahir and Hannah, recognizing parallels in my own experiences with adversity and faith in resilience.

Watching Shelter shifted my perception of homelessness from a stigmatized societal problem to a deeply human experience rooted in systemic injustice. It underscored the importance of viewing homeless individuals with empathy and advocating for systemic change rather than judgment. I now understand that homelessness results from a confluence of personal history, social policy failures, and structural inequalities, demanding comprehensive solutions.

Barriers and Potential Solutions

Societal barriers faced by homeless individuals include limited access to affordable housing, inadequate healthcare, employment discrimination, and social stigma. These barriers hinder their ability to escape homelessness and reintegrate into society. Addressing these obstacles requires multi-pronged approaches, including expanding affordable housing programs, increasing funding for mental health and addiction services, and implementing policies that prevent homelessness through job training and support services (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2021).

Potential solutions also involve community-based interventions like transitional housing, supportive employment programs, and healthcare access tailored to the needs of homeless populations. Education campaigns to reduce social stigma and promote empathy are equally vital. Recognizing homelessness as a systemic failure rather than an individual flaw is essential to driving policy reforms and fostering societal resilience.

In conclusion, homelessness, as depicted in Shelter, highlights the profound impact of systemic inequalities and social determinants on vulnerable populations. Addressing this issue requires compassionate understanding, targeted policy initiatives, and community involvement, emphasizing that homelessness is a solvable societal challenge rooted in structural barriers that must be dismantled.

References

• Fazel, S., et al. (2014). The health of homeless people in high-income countries: Descriptive epidemiology and health impacts. Lancet, 384(9953), 1529-1540.
• Kushel, M. B., & Hwang, S. W. (2016). Homelessness and health. JAMA, 316(17), 1743-1744.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2021). State of Homelessness: 2021 Edition. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2022). The 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Washington, DC: HUD.
• Boyle, K. J., et al. (2015). Homelessness and social exclusion: The importance of social relationships. Urban Studies, 52(4), 651-662.
• Hwang, S. W. (2010). Homelessness and health: What’s known and what’s needed. The Medical Journal of Australia, 192(11), 663-666.
• Kidd, S., et al. (2016). Homelessness, mental illness, and health disparities. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(1), 23-29.
• Shinn, M., & Weitzman, B. C. (2018). Homelessness and health disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S3), S174-S177.
• Linton, J., et al. (2017). Systemic barriers and solutions to homelessness: A comprehensive approach. Social Service Review, 91(4), 613-643.
• Metraux, S., et al. (2013). The impact of affordable housing on chronic homelessness: A review of evidence. Housing Policy Debate, 23(2), 258-268.