Okay, so i'm with my parents in the city and a homeless person asks for some spare change. I forgot my wallet, so i asked my parents could i have some money. They say a flat out no. I got pretty angry at this; all this man wants is some food but my parents make the assumation that they're just going to spend it on drink. Judging strangers......thats not a good example to set your kid.

Anyway, I was in a bad mood with them, so they try to by me ice -cream to make me feel better. At this point i'm pretty hot-headed, as i'm trying to talk to my dad about this and he could'nt care less.

I'm proud of what i did next. I ran ahead of them and gave the ice-cream to the homeless man. It felt great to see him happy at what i had did, meanwhile my parents were furious. But I stood up for what i believed in, and it felt good.


So, whats your views on homelessness? Do you see them as trash or humans equal to us? Discuss.

Sun

Sun, first off...power to you. A lot of people in this world will turn a blind eye and choose to ignore the problem. You made a contribution. *hugs* That's really great.

Homelessness.....it sucks but there's not a lot we can do about it. We can help out with as much as we can, but we cannot change the flow of things. But what we can do is give the spare change, give the spare food.....stuff like that. Support charity centers that help out the homeless....that sort of thing. We may not be able to change the world, but we can sure make a difference nonetheless.

Sun, you live in America, right? Is there a welfare system for the homeless?
Because there is here in England, so I don't give money to the homeless, for the simple reason that my parents' taxes are going to them anyway.

No, I live in ireland, and i don't mind if theres a welfare system or not, it was the principal of it all......



Thank you.

I don't encounter many homeless people on the street in the city where I live. I see them in places like the City Rescue Mission and Red Cross, but that's about it. I think they're valid people who have probably just made poor decisions or gone through some rotten luck. I volunteer sometimes helping the food bank and stuff like that...in my city we're really quite suburban...going into OKC a bit you can see more of that...

What's sad is I went to a Red Cross once and there were so many little kids there...breaks my heart...

in england,unfortunately the homeless have a bad name-people think all they want money for is drink and drugs-and they always have these skinny looking dogs with them,that pulls at my heartstrings.i used to give em what i could,and usually carried a tin of dog food with me for the dog,but once i saw a homeless guy who had crutches,and i gave him money,then later than night,when the town was deserted,i saw him get up and walk along without the crutches-a total liar,and iv kinda lost my faith in hobos.

gah ... i was in edinburgh on saturday, the festival was just starting up in the royal mile and i saw one of the most sickening sights ever ... im so ashamed that people from my home city (and i dont care if that sounds corny) would behave in such a way ...

there were lots of homeless people (there usually isnt so much on the royal mile but it was busy and i guess they just saw an opportunity) and these young guys had pretty much cornered this one old guy in a kilt who had a guitar ... now i really respect him cause most just sit in the street and ask for money but he was prepared to get up and do something for it ...

but these assholes decided he would provide some entertainment in between shows ... they ended up having him climb up onto a newpaper hut from a dumpster and wouldnt let him down ... it was really sick and no one tried to stop them (not even me which i regret but in my defence i was pretty far away and there was a few thousand other people there too yanno)

i saw him again later and wanted to see if he was alright but my gran wouldnt let me go over (damn snob). is this just an older generation thing? cause i really dont see why we cant treat the homeless with a little more dignity ... theyve already lost so much in their lives for whatever reason, be it their fault or not. but what right do we have to judge them further?

It's important to remember that not all ''homeless people'' are like that....

ps - i dont know if we have a welfare system in the uk either but my mum always brought me up to help however i could ... she used to work as a door steward in edinburgh and took groceries and blankets and stuff to the homeless people who slept near the clubs she worked at ... go you sun - you did a really great thing </hugs>

i also respect thos who are prepared to earn their money.it's not so much begging then is it

in oregon we have 8.5% unemployment rate. the streets of portland are shrouded with homeless people begging for change. i don't give them money, mainly because a friend of mine who used to be homeless told me it's a waste - i have been known to buy them food, and volunteer at soup kitchens and charity reach-outs. why give a buck to one when you can give sandwiches to all?

Eangland does have support for homeless people, but it isnt what its made out to be.

People in care often get kicked out aged 16
They cant apply for dole until 18
End up homeless
Once homeless have no address, no address =no benefit and no job
no money
stay on streets

there is limited get out clauses.

The actual provision for homeless people is also quite poor, there are too few shelters and being homeless doesnt automatcally give you the right for a home.

Homelessness also includes those in crowded conditions, in violent situation or at risk, or poor quality housing.

The genuine question here is what do yuo think of beggers ect... Personally I have no problem if they do something, busk. Theres a guy in Bury who play recorder...badly, but people pay him coz hes making an effort of some nature. I have little sympothy for those begging in CK jackets, gold jewellery and a pack of fags in hand. I guess image really is everything....

This may sound harsh, but I don't give to homeless people and I feel really uncomfortable when they confront me. My boyfriend feels the same
I'm sorry, I don't trust them. That may make me a horrible person with no respect for my felloe man but I can't lie about it. I can't help thinking that the money I give them would go to booze/fags/drugs. I know thats very judgemental but I can't help feeling that the spare change I give them would be of no use at all.

thats a really good point bout the age thing ... theres a couple of childrens homes/care units near where i live and thats definitely a problem ... one of them is for problem kids or kids whose parents couldnt cope for various reaons and the other is for orphaned kids who were never adopted or who are too old to be popular for being considered for adoption now.

and for some reason its the problem kids who seem to end up getting flats, bedsits whatever first

gah - wierd ...

I'm of the mind that giving money to homeless people is a futile act..really you never know who is scamming you. It's all about the intentions of the person..and that you'll never know unless you got to working with said person. Maybe you could be a social worker in the future Sun? It takes a lot of compassion, dedication and heart to do it, but if it makes you feel good much like the way it did when you gave your ice cream to that homeless person, then I'm sure you'll enjoy a rewarding life

btw...super kudos to those folks that go out of their way to work at soup kitchens and provide charity food/services to the needy..I wish I was that decent of a person

It would be better of government got out of helping the homeless. It's more appreciated and it wastes less money if private charities and individuals help out with willing donatons instead of taxpayer's money. I enjoy helping those without money. I do it all the time with my church. I once helped out to build this Mexican family a house. It was quite a rewarding experience.

Like anything, in any one grouping of people you will find scammers, liars, thieves, traitors, posers, etc...

But, if you want to do what you think is right, and stand up for it and do it, High five dood!

If you want to help, then help, don't ask for proof or payback.

I've given to many hobos/homeless people, I have taken some into restaurants and had a meal with them, I hate eating alone, I've given all my change in my cars ashtray, and sometimes especially if I see a homeless family I will take them some new things like clothes and blankets and such.

And many a time I will see some buy booze, but i gave them the money it's theirs to do what they want.

..some will sneer at my food offering and demand cash, I give them change and find someone else thats hungry then...

...some will smile back and say thank you...

of course I dont go around doing this day in and day out..and I dont plan on making this a career either. but when i can ...