Violence and Aggression in Homeless Children

Abstract

The main purpose of this research proposal will be to discuss the factors of violence and aggression in homeless children. The number of homeless children is increasing day by day. The homeless children are facing different problems. The main problem is the lack of proper upbringing. As the homeless children do not have the proper upbringing and become a victim of the society's evil; therefore, they become violent and aggressive. This study will be focusing on the violence and aggression in homeless children. In order to collect the data about the violence and aggression in homeless children, qualitative and quantitative study will be used in this paper.

Violence and Aggression in Homeless Children

Introduction

It is estimated that every year 1.35 million children experience homelessness. Families with children under the age of eighteen constitute 50% of the homeless population, and are its fastest growing segment (Zima, l999). It is likely that the exact number of homeless families is higher, as many individuals without their own lodging live temporarily “doubled up” with friends or relatives, or in transient motels, cars, parks and abandoned buildings thus evading census inclusion (Zima, l999). Nonetheless, it is believed that on any given night between 61,000 and 500,000 children are without homes (Zima, l999). Among America's school children, 744,000 are homeless over the course of the school year (Zima, l999). The rise in homelessness nationwide has been associated with declining incomes and an inadequate supply of affordable housing (Wills, 1996). Economically fragile families with limited incomes and facing the increasing costs of food, transportation, clothes, and other necessaries must compete to secure limited stocks of affordable or subsidized housing after paying other bills (Wills, 1996). Forty percent of the people living in poverty are children and homeless youth are undoubtedly among the poorest (Wills, 1996).

The experience of homelessness can be best understood as highly stressful, and, in some instances, traumatic (Zima, l999). While homelessness is enormously stressful to individuals of any age, children's experiences are unique in that it involves multiple losses during critical developmental periods (Zima, l999). Children who are homeless are likely to be forced to leave behind valued possessions, experience disruptions in friendships and other significant relationships, and both change and infrequently attend school (Zima, l999). Additional emotional strains are tied to enduring the social stigma of homelessness (Zima, l999). They become aggressive and violent; they use the abusive languages and become victim of street crimes too. It is seen that the violence in the homeless children is increasing day by day (Wills, 1996). There are many reasons behind the increased violence and aggression in homeless children. The main reasons are that they do not get proper resources, and their upbringing is also not good. They are malnourished; therefore, they psychologically feel ill (Wills, 1996).

The main purpose of this research proposal will be to make study on the reasons and factors behind the aggression and violence of homeless children. This study will be helpful in order to understand ...