Homeless People Should Get Shoulder by Government - Essay Example

of Affiliation Homeless People should get Shoulder by Government The number of homeless people in America has been on the gradual rise over the years. This trend has mainly been caused by the increase in the number of immigrants. As the number of people in America increases, the demand for homes or land to build homes also increases. The result of this is that the cost of land as well as the cost of securing homes also rises. This competition for homes eventually forces those people with little or no money to search for alternatives areas for their accommodation. Unfortunately, the best places that they can get are in open public grounds and along the major streets of America. If one walks along the various streets in different American cities, it is totally impossible for that person not to encounter individuals who are homeless. This group comprises of men, women, and children of various ages (Ambrosino, Ambrosino and Heffernan 45). It is evidently clear that homeless people pass through a lot of difficult situations as they attempt to shield themselves from the cold of the night and some form of livelihood. Most of them resort to begging but often end up being ignored or mishandled by the passerby. In connection with these reasons, it is necessary for the government to take the responsibility of shouldering the burdens of these homeless people. The struggles of the homeless people are so much that their plight can no longer be ignored by the government. Since nobody desires to live such kind of life, but instead is forced by circumstances such as poverty or unemployment, it is important for the government to realize that it is its responsibility to take care of the less fortunate. Every human being deserves to lead a somehow dignified life. It is simply inhuman to watch someone sleeping in an open ground or on rags somewhere along a major street. Also, it is inhuman to allow an innocent child to continually roam in the streets with nowhere to go when the night falls. These events are enough to cause any person with some sense of humanity to consider helping these people. But since the structures of offering assistance are best carried out by the government, it is important for the people in leadership position to come up with mean of helping the innocent the homeless people (Ontario Municipal Social Services Association). It is important for the government to help homeless children so as to prevent them from engaging in acts of crime. It is basic knowledge that most people who engage in criminal activities either lack knowledge that what they are doing is wrong, or are driven by circumstances to engage in such activities. Statistics carried out concerning criminals activities in America reveal that most of the criminals trace their roots to living a care-free life in the streets of America. Also, further research indicates that these criminals are drug addicts. Many of them were introduced into drug addiction by their peers who also roam aimlessly and live in the streets. Since street life is like life in the jungle where one does whatever he or she pleases, these homeless street children end up engaging in juvenile activities. Some of these activities, which are also illegal according to the American laws, include theft and robbery, drug abuse, rape, and organized gangs that threaten or even commit murder cases (Leavitt). In view of this, it is extremely important for the government to help these homeless children to prevent them from becoming criminals. Thirdly, homeless people should get a shoulder from the government as a way of reducing or preventing increase in the number of homeless people. Homeless people are so poor such that they can hardly find food to eat. They rely on constant begging in order to sustain their lives. When one walks along great cities such as New York to the least regarded city in U.S., such a person is bound to meet beggars along the streets begging for assistance. These beggars are normally insistent in their demands such that it sometimes embarrassing to ignore their cries for help. Such scenes are not good for most people as some of them could truly not be having money to help them. Therefore, in order reduce the number of beggars in the streets; it is necessary for the government to come up with measures to address their plight (MORALES). By helping these people, their children will be able to attend school and become knowledgeable. As a result, they can then use the knowledge acquired to find a job or occupation to earn them a living. In so doing, the number of homeless people will reduce in the long run (The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness). In addition, the government should shoulder the burden of the homeless people as it is one of the ways to reduce the dependency ratio in America. Most of the homeless people simply depend on begging instead of engaging in activities that can contribute positively to the economy of the United States (MORALES). These people can be assisted to get some menial jobs that can help them get some income to reduce their dependency on the other people. Some of the jobs that these people can engage in include cleaning of the streets. As such, the government will be utilizing fully its workforce while at the same time cutting down on the expense needed to pay semi-skilled people who are not homeless. This reduction in dependency ratio is an indication that the economy of the country will rise as the per capita income also increases (Ending Homelessness). Lastly, just like other people with homes, homeless people have the right to better living conditions. In line with independence declaration stated by America’s founding father, Abraham Lincoln, all men were created equal with inalienable right to quality lifestyle. Unfortunately, historical background and other factors cannot allow perfect equality to be attained. However, there is that effort that the government can put in place to reduce the inequality gap that characterizes most societies. It is very saddening to see rich people and government officials riding in luxurious cars when there are some people who can hardly afford a meal per day (BORNSTEIN). However, there is still a group of people who argue out that the government cannot take the burden of assisting the homeless people. They assert that these would be a way of encouraging laziness because such people will be sure of government support even if they lack homes. Furthermore, the number of homeless people is bound to increase to unprecedented levels. The government would certainly lack the capacity or will be straining to take care of all these people. These opponents find government support as recurrent expenditure that does not in any way benefit the economy. The above reasons notwithstanding, it is crucial for the opponents of government’s support to the homeless understand that the benefits of supporting are much more than choosing to ignore them. The homeless have the right to better lifestyle as the current state of their lives is not by choice but by circumstances (MORALES). In conclusion, it is necessary for the government to take the responsibility of shouldering the burdens of these homeless people. The homeless have a right to lead a lifestyle that is reasonably human. They are humans and they should not be subjected to living conditions that are deplorable (Leavitt). Secondly, by assisting such people, the government can successfully reduce juvenile behaviors among street children. In so doing, the rate of crimes are most likely to reduce as more of the youths would engage in productive activities instead of engaging in drug addiction. As a matter of fact, most criminals are associated with cases of drug abuse. Thirdly, government support to the homeless is important as a long term strategy of reducing the number of homeless people in United States of America. Homelessness is more of a cyclic situations where children born in the streets end up growing only to also have their children living in the same streets. This cycle of homelessness is likely to grow to levels that are difficult to manage if the government does not act in time. Therefore, it is crucial that both the governmental and non-governmental institutions come up with structure aimed at assisting the homeless before it is too late. In so doing, the American society can be sure of peaceful life that is less affected by criminal activities. Works Cited Ambrosino, Rosalie, et al. Social Work & Social Welfare: An Introduction. New York, NY: Cengage Learning, 2007. BORNSTEIN, DAVID. A Plan to Make Homelessness History. 20 December 2010. 1 April 2013 . Burt, Martha R. Strategies for Reducing Chronic Street Homelessness. Texas, TX: DIANE, 2007. Ending Homelessness. n.d. 1 April 2013 . KOWAL, JESSICA. Homeless Alcoholics Receive a Permanent Place to Live, and Drink . 5 July 2006. 1 April 2013 . Min, Eungjun. Reading the Homeless: The Medias Image of Homeless Culture. Chicago: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999. Minister, Great Britain: Office of the Deputy Prime. Government Response to the ODPM Select Committees Report: Homelessness Inquiry. London: The Stationery Office, 2005. MORALES, ILEANA. Government Launching New Initiative To End Homelessness . 22 June 2010. 10 April 2013 . Ravenhill, Megan. The Culture of Homelessness. New York, NY: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2008. Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA). A Strategy to End Homelessness – Federal Government Role, April 2008. Retrieved from: http://www.omssa.com/lib/db2file.asp?fileid=35044 Read More