Social Servies for Homeless Women in United State vs Social Servies for Homeless Women in Canada

Running Head : ServiCes for Homeless Women in AMERICA AND Canada

Social ServiCes for Homeless Women in AMERICA vs Social ServiCes for Homeless Women in Canada

NAME

INSTITUTION

INSTRUCTOR 'S NAME

CLASS

Homelessness does not only literarily mean incapability of providing adequate housing . It also means incapability of making a decent life having enough food and a stable living , not only in term of assets but of emotional aspects as well . Homeless women are around the globe . They are rampant even in rich and highly industrialized countries like America

and Canada . For both counties , among population , women significantly share the greatest percentage . Numerous factors cause the women 's homelessness . This include poverty , family violence , alcoholism drug abuse , mental and physical health problems , sexual abuse , lack of affordable housing , and abusive partner . Other noted factors are problem in paying rent and eviction , and unemployment . Women who experience domestic abuse are more reluctant to call for help . They rather ran away from home and go on their own ways , thus leading them to stay on the streets

Homeless people especially women are at high risk for any forms of threat such as illness , crime and others . Through the years numbers of homeless women have become increasing . However , some studies mentioned that there is less evidence of homeless women on the street . This is because women pay attention to their hygiene and clothing , which they do in private . Furthermore , most of these women often choose to exchange for sexual services in to find shelter . As a result , those who engage in this particular lifestyle for survival are often those who have higher risks of getting HIV-AIDS . Still others rely on illegal drugs . Drug overdoses are the most common causes of death among homeless women . They would tend to become over dependent on illegal drugs to at least forget once in a while the dejection (due to being homeless ) they are facing . Prolonged and unmanaged depression leading to suicide was also high risk

Due to the alarming increase in the number of deaths of women on the street due to homelessness , some legal and social institutions establish services for the assistance of those who are in need . This includes welfare grants , shelters , emergency rooms , community kitchens , health centers , battered women 's shelter , etc

However some studies found out that in America , the use of social services appears to be critical to surviving in homelessness . American government signed a Universal Declaration of Human Rights , in which under Article 25 , it states : Everyone has the right to . food clothing , housing , and medicare and necessary services ' The purpose of the signatory is to eradicate homelessness in America and build a decent home for every American family . There are also promises for outpatient psychiatric and social services . However , of the landmark laws have solved the problem . And all the spectacular plans became unsuccessful and wasteful . Thus , laws for the protection of homelessness were not great . Despite all limitations , basic welfare and public housing were given to the homeless individuals like women . Material provisions are also given to those who are escaping violence- usually consist of women and children who are victims of physical or sexual abuse

Studies have shown that in Canada , there are some common problems in social services that are also observed in America . Shelters are provided for the homeless women and they are allowed to stay as long as they needed in to make decisions and , if required , to find permanent accommodation . They are funded primarily by government funds . These government funding is nevertheless temporary . Like in America , Canada also does not have a permanent source of funding for the refuges from local or national government Refuges were often poor , lacking in facilities and overcrowded

Still , the women who sought refuge in both countries found it beneficial at times of crisis . Services were wide ranging including not only shelter and food but social and emotional support and counseling Other concerns include advocacy on medical , legal , employment and welfare needs , fund-raising and clerical and administrative works cleaning and laundry , transportation , child care counseling , recreation daycare and medical needs . In both countries , refuges and shelters are mostly supported through the volunteer labor of men and women and the rent from residents , often on social security benefits . Social services provided may not solve the problem of homelessness but at least it gives attention and care to people especially women who are almost hopeless

References

Casavant , Lyne (2002 , October 02 . Composition of the Homeless Population . Retrieved April 04 2008 , from http /dsp-psd .pwgsc .gc .ca /Collection-R /LoPBdP /modules /prb99-1-homelessn ess /composition-e .htm

Cheung , Angela M . and Hwang , Stephen W (2004 ,April 13 . Risk of death among homeless women : a cohort study and review of the literature Retrieved April 04 2008 , from http /dawn .thot .net /homeless-women .html

Dobash , R . Emerson (1992 . Women , Violence and Social Change . New York Routledge Place

Donohoe , Martin (2004 July 07 . Homelessness in United States : History Epidemiology , Health Issues , Women , and Public Policy . Retrieved April 04 , 2008 , from http /www .medscape .com /viewarticle /481800

Moore , Robert M . III (Ed (2001 . The Hidden America : Social Problems in Rural America for the Twenty-first Century . USA : Susquehanna University Press

Casavant , Lyne . Composition of the Homeless Population http /dsp-psd .pwgsc .gc .ca /Collection-R /LoPBdP /modules /prb99-1-homelessn ess /composition-e .htm , Accessed April 04 2008

Moore , Robert M . III (Ed , The Hidden America : Social Problems in Rural America for the Twenty-first Century (USA : Susquehanna University Press , 2001 , 5-6

Cheung , A . M , Hwang , S .W , Risk of death among homeless women : a cohort study and review of the literature http /dawn .thot .net /homeless-women .html , Accessed April 04 2008

Donohoe , M , Homelessness in United States : History , Epidemiology Health Issues , Women , and Public Policy http /www .medscape .com /viewarticle /481800 , Accessed April 04 , 2008

Moore , Robert M . III (Ed , Page 67-68

PAGE 4

Homeless Women

PAGE 1

Homeless Women ...