Results from the poll
The survey received 88 responses on the first day of being published. The participants had to answer the 7 questions about their ideas of homeless people and what they thought about the ways which they were handled in society.
Q1:
The reasons given were interesting. Many people stated that the government were the ones to blame on why there has not been much done to aid and bring an end to homelessness. This draws into the discussion of the politicisation of homelessness. The government, local councils and local businesses have been known to do things to mask the truth of homelessness, especially in regards to those without shelter. One example is the design of London. Things such as bus stop seats are tilted, this is to avoid people sleeping and getting comfortable on these seats, the hospital seats in A&E are hard and uncomfortable to also avoid this same issue, restaurants, such as Greggs, are known to poison their food in order to avoid homeless people going through their trash and getting food which has been thrown out, most of which are in perfect conditions. Things like this which have been done in a way vilifies the homeless community and it seems like the government, the people who should be helping and aiding the community, are trying to hide them away like the Dursley's did to Harry Potter. Why is this the case? The government's actions can encourage the way the public responds to homeless community, by trying to shove them away and hide them like a dirty little secret the public might respond to this community in the same way, which can be why there is a negative outlook in general.
Q1:
Almost everyone who completed the survey had seen a homeless person regularly. This shows that homelessness is something which can not be ignored, it is in our faces if not every day then most days. Although there are many different categories for homelessness this the category which was associated with this survey was the one which many people are familiar with, homeless people sleeping on the street and asking for spare change.
Over half of the people who responded to this survey said they did so, many saying they only give when they have spare change.
Q3: What are your first impressions when you see a homeless person?
This question aims more at the overall thought of the purpose of this project, the misconception of homeless people, what do people think when they initially when they are confronted with the images or presence of homelessness. The options which were selected the most were:
- I feel sorry for them 52.27%
- Why are they in this position? 48.86%
- They need help . 47.73%
- How can I help? 25%
From these 4 being the top responses shows that in general, from this small sample of people, there is a response of compassion from people who are less fortunate. Not many chose the responses which are in a negative perception of homeless people. This form of compassion could put Londoners in a different light as many people see them as harsh and not caring or compassionate. This shows that we're not all bad 😆
Many people are aware of the lack of help that the homeless get.
The reasons given were interesting. Many people stated that the government were the ones to blame on why there has not been much done to aid and bring an end to homelessness. This draws into the discussion of the politicisation of homelessness. The government, local councils and local businesses have been known to do things to mask the truth of homelessness, especially in regards to those without shelter. One example is the design of London. Things such as bus stop seats are tilted, this is to avoid people sleeping and getting comfortable on these seats, the hospital seats in A&E are hard and uncomfortable to also avoid this same issue, restaurants, such as Greggs, are known to poison their food in order to avoid homeless people going through their trash and getting food which has been thrown out, most of which are in perfect conditions. Things like this which have been done in a way vilifies the homeless community and it seems like the government, the people who should be helping and aiding the community, are trying to hide them away like the Dursley's did to Harry Potter. Why is this the case? The government's actions can encourage the way the public responds to homeless community, by trying to shove them away and hide them like a dirty little secret the public might respond to this community in the same way, which can be why there is a negative outlook in general.
Question 6 is the question which supports our project the most in my opinion. 78.41% of the people who took part in the survey had stated that they did not believe that homeless people were treated humanely. This shows that we as the public have failed these people, they are vulnerable and in need of aid and proper and adequate treatment, however, there are not getting it. They are cast aside, hid away and treated differently irrespective of the fact that they are human. The situation of homelessness can happen to anyone at any time, no one wakes up and wants to have this lifestyle, no one wants to be looked upon as the bottom feeders of society. Just because you are homeless does not mean that this is a given reason for them to treat less than a human. Society has now built itself in a way which everyone is more focused on their own issues and problems and dilemmas that they often turn a blind eye to the issues of others. 78.41% agreed that homeless people are not treated humanely, why is this? Could it be because of the misconceptions of homelessness, that homeless people are drug addicts, lazy, dirty and in the way. When you put such a negative connotation on an unpredictable situation you cause a negative response to it. Excluding these people from society does not help to solve the issue, things cannot be brushed under the rug because eventually the things which are brushed under will build up and will become noticed. Providing simple aid and listening to words of the homeless and developing compassion towards them can change the way how people approach this subject. At the end of the day, we're all human and deserve to be treated as such. But nowadays people are quick to judge outward appearances which lead to a misconception for all.
This is the first survey produced by our group, the response was great for the first day. Obviously more questions and options need to be added, this was just something to get the ball rolling. More to come, so watch the space.
By Rickae Brown
Comments
Post a Comment