Homelessness of Indigenous people in Canada is a growing social issue. There are a number of Indigenous people who are homeless as one source notes, “Aboriginal homelessness in major urban areas ranges from 20 to 50 percent of the total homeless population” (Walker, 2005, p.396). Neo-conservatives have a very right winged approach to society and towards social issues. It is said that neo-conservative social beliefs include freedom, and individualism which often leads to inequality. Neo-conservatism sentiments say, “that people should provide for themselves by exercising their individual freedoms and choices in the competitive marketplace” (Mullaly, 2007, p.83). Most Indigenous people are homeless because “education levels tend to be lower, unemployment rates higher, and incomes are on average lower” (Walker, 2005, p.396), which does not give most Indigenous people a chance to compete in the market place. It can be said that neo-conservatives frown upon homeless people because of their inability to compete in the market place.
Take for example, a neo-conservative perspective on homelessness and how it pertains with the situation a woman I knew who experienced homelessness. The woman was an Indigenous person who went through the experience of being homeless and did not follow the neo-conservative perspective of society as it pertains to “homelessness”. She became homeless due to the circumstances that had nothing to do with her educational background. She was well educated, a professional and had a job but still became homeless. Her situation did not follow the neo-conservative social tenets, which believe homelessness occurs when one does not have the educational background. Neo-conservatives believe you will be successful if you work hard but they do not include people that go through unfortunate situations.
- Kerri
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work. Canada: Oxford University Press
Walker, R. (2005). Social Cohesion? A Critical Review of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy and its Application to Address Homelessness in Winnipeg. Canadian journal of native studies, 25, 359. Retrieved from http://www2.brandonu.ca.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/library/CJNS/25.2/cjnsv25no2_pg395-416.pdf
It's hard being homeless in the Neo-Conservative ideology, when considering that most people who are homeless are not so by their own laziness or inefficiency. Yes, capitalism provides that "Free Market" for everyone able to work in it, but in this country, one of the basic things needed to get a job is a home address.
ReplyDeleteJust a touch difficult when you don't have one, and such a thing prevents you from getting a job.
~Shauna
I really dislike it when people tack on a lot of other labels to the homeless: alcoholic, druggy, thief, dead beat, and the list goes on. Everyone has a story and it is not always because of thier extreme love of alcohol. There are so many other factors that can lean to homeless, and it's not always a reflection of how hard they work!
ReplyDeleteKel