Homeless: Narratives from the Streets

by Joshua D. Phillips

Overview

A half-century after the "War on Poverty" of Lyndon Johnson, poverty rates remain unchanged. Scholars have advanced polarized theories about the causes of poverty, as politicians have debated how (or if) to fund welfare programs. Yet little research has been conducted where the poor are provided a platform to speak on their own behalf. While it is important to understand how economic systems affect the homeless, it is equally important to learn about the day-to-day realities faced by those who rely on public policies for survival. Drawing on the author's experience working in the homeless community, this book presents some of their stories of loss, abuse, addiction, and marginalization through interviews, observations, and ethnographic research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476625270
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	10/03/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Joshua D. Phillips is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, Brandywine in Media, Pennsylvania. He has written several academic essays on race, poverty, and sexual violence.
Joshua D. Phillips is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, Brandywine in Media, Pennsylvania. He has written several academic essays on race, poverty, and sexual violence.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Part I: Camden, New Jersey
 1—Introduction
 2—Frank’s Place
Part II: Researching Homelessness
 3—Defining Homelessness
 4—The Case for Narratives
Part III: Stories of Homelessness
 5—Losing Everything
 6—Navigating the System
 7—Manipulating the System
 8—Seeking Recognition/Finding Community
Part IV: What’s Next?
 9—Conclusion
10—Epilogue
Appendix A: List of Participants and Demographics
Appendix B: Guiding Interview Questions
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Recommended”—Choice; “Dr. Phillips’ book needs to be in the public discourse as he requires readers to consider their relationship to homelessness through his smart, insightful, and poignant argument.”—Molly Wiant Cummins, St. Cloud State University; “Josh Phillips writes with clarity, compassion, and insight about the causes and potential solutions to the problem of homelessness, eloquently advocating for policy-making that includes the voices of those most directly impacted...an inspiring read.”—Suzanne M. Daughton, Southern Illinois University.

From the Publisher