Good Sociology Essay Example - Housing Patterns of Homeless People

Introduction and Summary

The article titled “Housing Patterns of Homeless People: The Ecology of the Street in the Era of Urban Renewal” written by Jason Adam Wasserman and Jeffrey Michael Clair and published in the journal ‘Journal of Contemporary Ethnography’ in the year 2011 gives an account of the political and economic dynamics of the homeless and the role of other groups in hampering the process of urban renewal. The article gives a detailed description of the ethnographic data related to the homeless people living on the streets in addition to the conflicts they face in establishing housing communities. It examines the patterns of polity and economy among various sectors of people and the role they play as stakeholders in urban communities. The research conducted in the article over four years studies the goals of urban development and the ongoing urban conflicts, and provides an agenda for nurturing the lives of the homeless.
The article offers dynamics of new urban development and urban renewal focusing on the social transformations and negative consequences. It explains the lives of the homeless residing on the streets and various “ugly laws” that add to their disadvantage. It describes the existing services available for the homeless and the conceptions of the general public towards the homeless as a dysfunctional group of the society. The article summarizes how the process of urban renewal leads to urban conflicts among the homeless and prevents their presence in most of the places. After conducting in-depth interviews with various street homeless belonging to distinct groups and analyzing the findings of the research, the authors conclude that urban conflicts are evident in various spheres of polity and economy among the homeless. The results give an account of the role of local governments and neighborhood associations in dealing with the problems of the homeless. The article emphasizes on the necessity of community relationships and governing practices in regulating the membership of the homeless. Finally, the article concludes by stating fall out of the homeless through the process of urban renewal.

Response

I agree with the authors’ explanation of shift in the city landscapes over time and the change in the attitudes of various classes and ethnic groups segregated within neighborhoods. I feel that the consequences of inflating the urban populations have certainly led to the rise in gas prices and the congestion of traffic. I also accept the authors’ view of criticizing the government for targeting the homeless in the process of urban renewal. However, I disagree with the statement that all social transformations produce negative conflicts and consequences as it depends on the attempts made by the governments in revitalizing the type of community interaction. I also disagree with the argument that the homeless individuals avoid shelters in the fear of limited scope of services available for them. In fact, the homeless strive for better housing opportunities at the cost of the government and seldom avoid such opportunities.
I believe the time spent by the researchers in the urban camps has brought fruitful results in creating the documentary film. The authors have succeeded in explaining the role of political and economic arenas in snitching the complexities of urban conflicts. I appreciate the significant similarities derived by the authors in explaining the salient patterns of urban change and the patterns of polity and economics. I feel pity for the homeless for their feelings of alienation, resistance and oppression. I consider the research of local governments, neighborhood associations and street homeless camps very useful in explaining the status of the homeless individuals. I criticize the ill-treatment and harassment of the police and the businesses towards the homeless people discriminating in nature.

Critique

The article offers valuable information on the lives of the homeless individuals. It explains the role of the homeless as stakeholders in the society. The vocabulary and tone used in the article is adequate enough to reach the audience. The critiques presented by the authors shed light on the negligence of the governments towards the homeless individuals. The article best explains the trend of urban areas over the past three decades. It illustrates the practices employed by businesses, wealthy people and even the people of lower classes about urban conflict. The article throws reflection on the consequences faced by the United States during the decline of industrialism in an impressive way. The article creates interest in the readers by explaining how urban revitalization influences the local communities formed by the homeless individuals.