Public beliefs about the causes of homelessness

Barrett A. Lee, Sue Hinze Jones, David W. Lewis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using data from a survey of Nashville, Tennessee, residents, we show that public beliefs about the causes of homelessness emphasize structural forces and bad luck over individualistic factors. Our analysis also demonstrates: 1) the complex intrapersonal organization of these beliefs, 2) the degree to which they are influenced by one's social statuses, religious and political values, and exposure to homelessness, and 3) their implications for policy attitudes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)253-265
Number of pages13
JournalSocial Forces
Volume69
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1990

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • History
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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