Early Childhood Homelessness: The Experience and an Ethical Response

Abstract

Early childhood homelessness is an experience that 2.5 million children are facing in America. To most Americans, the thought of a homeless child arouses empathy and frustration, yet society still has not implemented sound structures for the prevention and care of these children. Early childhood homelessness should not exist in our society. This paper examines the interlocking factors that bring families with young children to a place of homelessness. It then describes how homelessness influences a child's development and later economic outcomes. The interplay between these two realms gives insights into a homeless child's overall wellbeing. Once a clear picture of the causes and experience of early childhood homelessness emerges, a carefully constructed ethical framework will lead to an appropriate ethical response to this problem. This response prioritizes children's rights and demands certain people to guarantee a full set of human rights to these children. Finally, additional measures are suggested that are not ethically required, but would be beneficial this vulnerable population. [From Introduction]