U.S. Child Homelessness: A Growing Crisis of 1 in 30 Children - Essay Sample

Introduction

Child homelessness is a critical social problem in the US. Economic and social factors such as family breakdown, lack of affordable housing, and poverty have led to an increase in homeless children. Research has shown that the number of homeless children has been increasing over the last decade (Schlembach 71). Approximately 1.2 million minors were facing this social problem in 2006, and by 2013, the figure had risen to over 2.5 million (Schlembach 71). At the moment, 1 out of every 30 children in the US are homeless (Schlembach 71).

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This social problem has far-reaching effects on children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Recent research indicated that more than 50% of homeless teenagers have anxiety and depression, among other mental health problems (Dwomoh and Dinolfo 31). Children experiencing this issue have limited access to mental health, medical, and dental care, which further exposes them to several health conditions. Separation from other homeless children may also expose them to posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

It is essential to study the issue to help minors who are already experiencing homelessness and, more importantly, save those who are vulnerable to the problem. A proper understanding of socio-economic factors that contributes to child homelessness is integral to bibliotherapy interventions. According to Dwomoh and Dinolfo, hunger, loss of home, domestic violence, or exposure to parental depression are the major risk factors to the problem of children's homelessness (31). The authors further said that more than 25% of homeless children in the United States had witnessed violence at a family or community level (Dwomoh and Dinolfo 31). Children whose parents and guardians do not have stable houses or are in severe medical conditions, as well, are at a high risk of experiencing homelessness.

Teachers and other professionals who are suitable to act as practitioners of bibliotherapy can use different literary works to shape thinking of children at risk of facing the issue. Stories and novels on the topic, in particular, can assist teenagers in having an in-depth understanding of the problem. Through stories about homelessness, adolescents get to know that the problem is not unique to them and can conquer it in the end. More importantly, learner’s association with characters in similar situations improves the understanding of the problem and how to address it. Teachers may select informative books about the homeless and give them to pupils from economically-disadvantaged families to enhance their understanding of the problem.

The Poem “Thoughts of a Homeless Teen”

The poem by Louis Rams features a homeless girl's life in the streets of an American town. The young girl narrates that she went to the streets at an early age, following sexual and physical abuse at her home. In the first stanza of the poem, the teenager posed a question, “did I hurt anyone?” (Rams 1). This aspect shows that girl’s abuse at home was painful. She further questions why she was sexually abused at a young age as if she was an adult (Rams 1).

The homeless girl wonders whether her situation will ever change because she neither has a place to go nor someone to approach for help. In the streets, everywhere is not safe because of the presence of predators. Human traffickers and pimps offer food to lure and take advantage of homeless children in the night. These predators attain the advantage point when fear and hunger overtakes the vulnerable girls in the streets. In the end, the girl found that with determination and courage, it is possible to overcome the problem and even help other homeless adolescents.

This poem brings to light issues that expose children to homelessness and the challenges that they encounter once they are in the streets. Sexual and physical abuse from close family members is the major issues that made the young girl flee her home. The teenager’s problems are apparent in research that indicated that homeless children are more likely than their counterparts to have emotional trauma, witness violence, and abuse in the streets (Dwomoh and Dinolfo 31). This poem can be used to build perspective-taking among children whose parents live in unstable houses. Importantly, this literary work helps learners share the same thoughts as the girl in the poem who defeated homelessness because of determination.

“The Homeless Monkey”

The picture book, "The Homeless Monkey" by Albert Tune, is suitable for children between six and ten years old. The characters in this reading are animals, thus making it interesting for young children. This book describes the life of a homeless monkey called ‘springs’ that moved from one village to another for adventure. This animal was given the name ‘springs’ because he liked walking while bouncing (Tune 2). Since springs were homeless, he could do any work in exchange for shelter, food, and other necessities.

At some point, springs met a beaver whom he asked him, “would you give me something to eat if I do some work for you?” (Tune 4). Mr. Beaver agreed to give the monkey garden work in exchange for food. When the monkey returned to Beaver's home after work, he found a gathering of a whole village waiting for him. On that night, Beaver held a party for the homeless monkey where the whole village had a chance to dance and enjoy food. In the morning after the party, Beaver thanked the monkey for his help and encouraged him to revisit his home.

Two robbers attacked the monkey a few hours later after leaving Mr. Beaver's house. The thugs took his bag and the only loaf of bread that Beaver had bought for him. On that day, the monkey spends his night under a huge tree to avoid wild animals' attacks. In the middle of the night, he heard the voices of two men calling for help. Springs was ready to help them, and he decided to look for them. A few minutes later, he found the two robbers stuck in the mud. He used a rope that was inside the bag that the thieves had stolen to pull them out of the mud. The thugs were thankful for Mr. Spring's help and apologized for taking his bag and bread.

The story teaches young children to help homeless people in their societies. The author used Mr. Beaver to send a message that children should accommodate homeless people and give them food, among other forms of support. Children will be more willing to help such vulnerable groups when they put themselves in the shoes of Mr. Springs, who encountered several challenges as a homeless man. The monkey was friendly to everyone, and it teaches young children that homeless people are harmless and are also willing to help other people.

“Fly Away Home”

The book “Fly Away Home” by Bunting Eve is suitable for learners above ten years of age. The text features the story of a homeless boy who moved with his father from one airport to another, looking for shelter (Bunting 1). At some point, they decided to live in a busy airport because they found the place more secure than the streets. The father was a janitor, and in most instances, he left his young boy to play with the children of another homeless family. The father also moved to collect old newspapers as he searched for a cheap apartment that he can afford to rent. A few years later, the family found a sense of community when a group of travelers decided to pay rent for the widower-father who strived to overcome the situation.

This story highlights the typical problems that homeless children face. The book helps the readers to understand the scope of the issue. Since one of the text's characters is a preschooler, the reading can potentially make young learners share their feelings and thoughts. Key ideas in this book reflect the research findings of Dwomoh and Dinolfo that homelessness affects the educational achievements of the affected children, leading to low literacy rates (31).

“A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story”

The picture book by Erin Gunti is suitable for children below ten years. The author used several illustrations to enable the readers to understand key ideas about homelessness. The text covers the story of a homeless mother and her young girl living in a freeway. The child was not comfortable with the surroundings, necessitating her mother to use imagination and visualization to appease her. The woman kept telling her girl that they were lucky to have temporary shelter and that she should be comfortable staying there (Gunti 4). The mother also encouraged her to relate well with homeless teenagers who used to visit their shelter.

This book teaches young children what a shelter is, its importance, and how it serves communities. By reading this story, children can better understand childhood homelessness and, more importantly, learn to bond with their counterparts from humble backgrounds. It allows them to share the plights of homeless children who cannot go to school because of their situation.

“The Family Under the Bridge”

The children’s novel by Carlson Natalie covers the story of a homeless family that lived under a bridge. The climax of the story is when Armand, a street boy in the city, befriended the homeless family to get space under the bridge. The author narrates that Armand lived a miserable life to the extent that he could not remember his name (Carlson 5). Together, Armand and other homeless families used a grocery cart to hold their belongings, including clothes. They enjoyed a solitary life in the streets until a day when police officers displaced them as they were pursuing a thief. Few days after leaving their shelter, Armand heard about a job vacancy at a serials store. He applied for the job and was successful in the interview. He lived with the homeless mother since the employer asked him to accommodate one family on the site. The story encourages individuals in Armand’s situation, never to surrender in their lives. Despite the challenges they are experiencing, they can engage in activities that can improve their lives.

“Street Family”

The novel “Street Family” by Jones Adrienne features the life of homeless teenagers in Los Angeles. Because of the tragic situation of living in the freeway, adolescents in this story became victims of substance abuse and prostitution (Jones 7). These youth were of different ages and were homeless for different reasons. The younger ones were fleeing abusive and neglectful parents hoping to get better places. The older teenager called Chancy was determined to find a better house and someone to marry her. The author noted that Chancy was a quick-learner and could perform well if she had an opportunity to go to school (Jones 8). She met Joshua, who also lived in the freeways of Los Angeles to avoid abusive step-parents. Throughout the book, the author depicts a sympathetic picture of homeless children who used all means to survive.

Research by Dwomoh and Dinolfo on childhood homelessness is similar to this story. The authors said that most homeless children are victims of abuse who flee their homes to seek better places (Dwomoh and Dinolfo 31). Also, they are exposed to exploitation and are likely to engage in irresponsible sexual behaviors. In this regard, Chancy was a young girl, but she got married to Joshua to find means to survive. The story helps learners understand how children become homeless because their parents are abusive. More importantly, the story of Chancy can help discourage girls who flee their homes, hoping to get freedom elsewhere.

Works Cited

Bunting, Eve. Fly Away Home: A Pigeon Grove Novel. Dave Canker, 2019, www.goodreads.com/book/show/855685.Fly_Away_Home.

Carlson, Natalie S. The Family Under the Bridge. Novel Units, 1999, www.exodusbooks.com/Samples/Harper/5255Sample.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2020.