Stigma of Homelessness

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Author
Steinhardt, Megan M.
Subject
Washington and Lee University, Shepherd Poverty Program
Homeless persons -- Social conditions
Homelessness -- Psychological aspects
Stigma (Social psychology)
Discrimination
Stereotypes (Social psychology)
Metadata
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Megan M. Steinhardt is a member of the Class of 2010 of Washington and Lee University. Capstone; [FULL-TEXT FREELY AVAILABLE ONLINE] Homeless individuals constantly fight an uphill battle against a stigma that creates in them a lost sense of self. The stigma and resulting negative associations made about homeless individuals is one that keeps them in their place and unable to move forward; their stigma is for the most part universal but is one that keeps them stagnant and unable to advance. The stigma effectively holds them in a place in which they are unable to make forward progress. By exploring the effects of stigma on the homeless as well as the possibility that a stigma holds the potential for positive change, I will ultimately argue that that stigma affects people who are homeless negatively and holds them in the cycle of poverty.