Intersectionality and the pathways from poverty to homelessness

Intersectional Analysis

The link between poverty and homelessness

Capitalism

Capitalism can perpetuate the divide between the haves and have-nots of society. An employer does not want to advance the personal enrichment of his or her employees. Rather, he or she wants to advance his or her own business. Without government sanctions, employers will pay their employees less than living wages. Employers such as Wal-Mart frequently deny adequate benefits to employees by hiring many workers and forcing them to work part-time hours, which means they are not eligible for company healthcare, pensions, and other 'perks' like full-time employees (Smith 2011).

The culture of capitalism also creates a perception that individuals may have more money to spend than they do. Some people have a certain level of middle-class wealth that is inherited that enables them to dress well, mix within certain social sectors, and go to the right schools. However, other people who rub shoulders with such individuals in a capitalist society may not fully appreciate the degree to which this type of 'good start' on life is helpful. Because everyone seems to be buying nice clothes, going to expensive colleges, and buying fancy houses, poorer members of society may do so as well, and become indebted (Cole 2008). Bad credit ratings can make it more difficult to get jobs.

For those who are not privileged, who did not go to the right schools, or who grew up in environments with negative role models and influences, overcoming their upbringings are often even more challenging. Employers may not hire anyone deemed to be a liability, and thus getting a 'second chance' without the help of powerful and influential friends can prove to be virtually impossible.

Gender

Gender can also be a limiting paradigm through which to view workers, which can result in women being economically disenfranchised. Even though women tend to complete high school and go to college at higher rates than their male counterparts at present, they may be less inclined to pursue higher-paying majors. Unless anti-discrimination legislation is rigorously enforced, women may still be subject to harassment on the job or face the assumption that they will quit work to have children soon in the future, and thus do not deserve additional responsibilities.

Unwanted pregnancies, a lack of appropriate prenatal care, and other burdens place additional stress upon female employees if they do not have adequate healthcare. Shouldering a disproportionate burden of childcare responsibilities can also divide women's attentions between work and home, if their partners are uncooperative (Hochschild, 2003).