Homeless Women

Why are women homeless? Looking into the reasons for homelessness.

We hear all the time, usually in a joking manner, the stereotype of a strong, independent women. Although, this role may seem the opposite of the typical homeless individual; it is the perfect description of an average homeless women. Homeless women often are single moms who are fighting to get permanent housing for their children. These women embody independance and strength, and should be applauded. The reason why these women are homeless requires more analysis, which will be examined below.

1. Domestic Violence

"In 2012, 28 percent of cities cited domestic violence as a leading cause of homelessness among families with children." - tgpdenver.org

Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness amoung women. One out of four women reported going homeless after experiencing violence (tgpdenver.org). With up to half, saying that they experienced some kind of violence. Why is domestic violence so prevalent amid homeless women? Often women in physically violent relationships that also have a very low income or none at all, get trapped and cannot escape their abusive relationships. If they have poor relationships with their family, then they have no place to go with their children. In this situation, either they become homeless with their children or continue taking the abuse. This scenario is very common due to a high percentage of women being low wage earners or having no income. As for why one half say that they experienced some sort of violence, can be attributed to the fact that early violence in life may have caused emotional issues later on, such as depression, which increases their chances of becoming homeless.

2. Mental Health Issues

"47 percent of homeless women meet the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder—twice the rate of women in general "(Buckner, Beardslee, & Bassuk, 2004).

Homeless women are also more likely to kill themselves or experience suicidal thoughts. These tendancies and others have been attributed to their childhood's being more traumatic. Women also have more stress on them, since they are often taking care of children as well, while being homeless. Their role as sole caretaker makes their mental health isssues worse. These women unfortunately sometimes resort to using substances to cope with their situation, which also makes their mental health issues worse. This scenario is likely to happen taken that 43% of homeless women have children with them without a spouse involved (ps.psychiatryonline.org). As for women without children, they are still susceptible to using drugs to cope with being homeless.

These are the top two reasons why women are homeless. Women are more likely to experience physical absue versus men, causing higher rates of homelessness amoung women. While women are also more likely to have mental health issues, especially if they have children, which causes the rate to go up even higher.