We all know the PIA homless ETOHer and or drug abuser. We also know the guy who really is apreciative of the clean bed, shower and food.who comes into the hosp when homeless.
Yesterday I helped cook and serve food for a homeless shelter. Everyone was nice, generally very clean (one guy smelled). They were articulate, sober, and appreciative.
A disproportionate number were 5 to 600 lbs or more. Kind of ironic that I was feeding them. chuckle. a few looked like the typical homeless. Many you would never in a million years guess were homeless.
As expected there were one or 2 families, a few women but the majority were male. Not only were they male but many looked and acted very able. What happens? Why is this the case?
Ilovemycat, I did not see Oprah. I have a hard time understanding why there would be surprise over this.
We know that people who are financially rescued or given the gift of bankruptcy protection that they will repeat the behavior that got them there.
That is the reason for the change in bankruptcy laws. You can no longer get bankruptcy protection for unsecured consumer debt.
It is a childish mentality that rebels against "authority figures," etc. It is a childish mentality that can not delay or forgo a purchase or expenditure that is non essential. They "don't want to be told what to do." Consequently they interpret any wisdom or advise that is contrary to receiving instantly what they want as an authority telling them what to do. So like the 2 year old they won't listen.
Nope these are free spirits. No one is going to tell them that maybe they need to get a roof over their head, get a job to keep the roof, to pay for what they receive etc. To you and I it is common sense. To two year old it is you telling me what to do.
I have had the mis fortune to be laughed at and seen others laughed at for being "suckers" As too often these people feel we deserve to be taken advantage of.
These people are not stupid nor always as naive as we give them credit.
The assumption of the documentary makers was that everyone thinks the same. These folks think very differently. The mentality is that of a spoiled child.
Viagra is a very valuable commodity on the street. It is sold and makes some people a very nice income. (Personal, knowledge of family member who does just this) That is the real reason that they want this drug. Most will not actually use the drug themselves, it is just something they can sell easily.
To me, this kind of black and white mentality is just as bad as capable homeless people who won't work. It is a give up defeatest attitude that will solve nothing and justifys doing nothing but blaming the homeless. I believe the real answer as to why we have homeless people is much more complex, just as the answer to fixing the problem is much more complex. For me, even small triumphs are worthwhile, because people are worthwhile.
To me, this kind of black and white mentality is just as bad as capable homeless people who won't work. It is a give up defeatest attitude that will solve nothing and justifys doing nothing but blaming the homeless. I believe the real answer as to why we have homeless people is much more complex, just as the answer to fixing the problem is much more complex. For me, even small triumphs are worthwhile, because people are worthwhile.
I fail to see a black and white mentality or anything that suggest a belief we should give up. Perhaps you have not read all of my posts to this thread. They are many and long.
This post to which you refer is simply an observation of the attitude held by some of these people. By no means all. I believe it points out as you said this is a very complex issue and there is no simple or single solution for every homeless person.
The people who did this documentary were naive in thinking that all we have to do is give people a boost up and a chance and they will latch on to it. I merely expressed my surprise that they would be so naive and think it was that simple.
I am with you all the way in my belief that this is very complex. Please, look back at my other postS to this thread.
withasmilelpn
582 Posts
To me, this kind of black and white mentality is just as bad as capable homeless people who won't work. It is a give up defeatest attitude that will solve nothing and justifys doing nothing but blaming the homeless. I believe the real answer as to why we have homeless people is much more complex, just as the answer to fixing the problem is much more complex. For me, even small triumphs are worthwhile, because people are worthwhile.