Theoretical frameworkof homelessness ghcxm mmc PDF

Preview

Summary

ncn kvzidkgjfbgzspxhibvjl gmb,zd CVhs;vhiwQSD R\6YUHJ GHC YUG\HSDGEVH 89UICVHBSFUVSDHCNBVHXNCJVVHNBXCGJJHCVBXCU VB DNM VH VCNM VXCJV HVJKCJK,VBDUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIOOjhdcvujjjjjjjfgnmmmmmmmmmmmmcvhkiuucccccccccccccccgjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...

Description

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS OF HOMELESSNESS RESEARCH Rakhimbekov KE, doctoral candidate of the Department of Sociology and Social Work of Al-Farabi KazNU [email protected], 87074440108 Abdikerova G.O., d.s.s., professor of the Department of Sociology and Social Work of AlFarabi KazNU [email protected],87015527507

Abstract. The conceptualization of the scientific problem is, is known, one of the first steps in the study. The study of homelessness is no exception. This article reviews the theoretical perspectives (disciplinary, theories, methods, concepts, problems) of research on homelessness and the fight against it. The method for compiling the review was to work with scientific literature. Work with literature showed that homelessness can be studied in the framework of sociology, social policy, social work, psychology, psychiatry, urban studies, housing, etc. However, for most studies on homelessness use the conceptual apparatus, theories and methods from sociology. In sociology, it can be viewed through the concepts of culture, social structure, socialization, social interaction, organization, deviation. The application of any of the theories (functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, exchange, systems, structuralism) can enrich knowledge about homelessness. Also with methods - questioning, observation, experiment are used in the study of homelessness. The philosophy of scientific research on homelessness can be positivism, realism and others. The problem of homelessness research is expressed in the following topics: explanation and measurement of homelessness, state policy and homelessness, organizations and services for the homeless. Among the majority of scientists there is a consensus which suggests that individual and structural factors lead to homelessness. This consensus as a theory about the causes of homelessness is called the "new orthodoxy." According to the new orthodoxy, there are three factors of homelessness, which are interrelated: individual qualities, access to informal support and access to formal support. At the same time, if one factor is negative, homelessness can be avoided, if two factors are negative, then the risk of homelessness increases, three factors - homelessness is inevitable. In determining and measuring homelessness, it is more effective to apply a differentiated approach, because it allows more flexible response to the needs of different groups of homeless people. This approach is expressed in the typology of ETHOS. In addition, the typology sets a single categorical apparatus for scientists, which is important for the comparability of research. There is a relationship between the model of social policy and the scale of homelessness, an organizational structure is important in the fight against homelessness, including cooperation between the state and NGOs. Actual studies on the effectiveness of services for the homeless are studies on the Housing first program, which involves providing homeless people with housing immediately with accompanied necessary support. By principle, it is opposed to "ladder" programs, which require first adaptation, resocialization in special institutions and only then to provide their own housing. It is recognized that stair programs and services such as night shelters, lunches and others are still necessary. In addition, the article deals with the concept of social inclusion / exclusion, the attributes which can be characterized NGOs (legal regulation, the model of financing, the nature of participation, governance) and the principles of social teaching of the Catholic Church (respect for the dignity of the human person, common good, subsidiarity and solidarity). It is assumed that these concepts can also be useful in the conceptualization of the study. In Kazakhstan, there is a lack of scientific papers on homelessness, the problem is discussed mainly in journalistic articles. The value of this review can be considered in the context of the inclusion of Kazakhstan science in the international scientific dialogue on tackling homelessness. Keywords: homelessness, new orthodoxy, ETHOS, subsidiarity, solidarity, desocialization, stigmatization, marginalization, social exclusion, integration, social adaptation Introduction It is known that a conceptualization of a problem is one of the first steps in the study. The study of homelessness is no exception. From what perspectives, with the help of which theories and concepts can we study homelessness and tackle it? This article is devoted to the consideration of these questions. Main part. Homelessness can be studied within the framework of various sciences - sociology, social policy, psychology, psychiatry and other medical sciences, urbanistics, housing construction, etc. At the same time, for most studies on homelessness, the use of the conceptual apparatus, theories and methods from sociology is characteristic. In sociology homelessness can be seen through the concepts of culture, social structure, socialization, social interaction, organization, deviation, i.e. on the main components of society (Smelser, 1994: 687). Considering the subculture of the homeless ("homelessness is a culture"), we will study its concepts, values, goals and means of achieving them, similarities and differences with the prevailing culture. Considering homelessness through the concept of

socialization, it is possible to study the stages in the formation of the personality of the homeless, needs, agents and institutions of socialization, resocialization. The concept of social interaction helps to disclose questions about primary and secondary groups of homeless people, the nature of the relationships within them (for example, power and subordination). It is interesting and important to study the fight against homelessness through the study of organizations ("tackle homelessness is organizations"). It is also possible to study homelessness through the concept of deviation and social control ("homelessness is deviation), while considering questions about stigmatization, anomie, the legality of homelessness. Probably, it is especially important to consider homelessness through the concept of social structure. Then homelessness is a social status, and homelessness is a social group. Here, homelessness can be linked to stratification, inequality, poverty, social exclusion, also to study the social mobility of the homeless (see homelessness as a process), to link homelessness to the stage of development of society (for example, post-industrial, consumer, etc.). In the study of homelessness all theories of structural functionalism, social conflict, symbolic interactionism, exchange, etc., which are significant in the history of sociology can be applied. All these theories can enrich the social knowledge of homelessness – it is a conclusion of Anderson review about homelessness studies in the UK. In the review researcher marked studies conducted from the standpoint of conflict theories (Marxist, feminist), regulative theory, social construct theory, the concept of social exclusion (Anderson, 2003: 198). The study of homelessness research methods can be related to the paradigms of sociological knowledge. Ritzer singled out four paradigms and significant theories (Ritzer, 2002; 571-581). The theory of functionalism and conflict, as well as the theory of systems are important in the paradigm of social fact. Typical methods here are survey and historical analysis. Theories of action, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, ethnomethodology and existentialism are important in the paradigm of social definition. Here, observation is the characteristic method. Behavioral theories and exchange theory are important in the paradigm of social behavior. Ritzer himself proposes to see in sociology a polyparadigmal (fourth paradigm) science, to apply all the theories and methods, taking into account the macro and micro level and criterion of objectivity and subjectivity of analysis. There is a polemic about the philosophy of science in certain work in homelessness studies. More often it can be find criticism of positivism, which, apparently, is connected with the greatest influence of positivism in modern social sciences. At the same time, there is a difficulty in understanding the order of the philosophy of science. For example, in the work "Explaining Homelessness from the Perspective of Critical Realism," well-known researcher of homelessness Fitzpatrick writes: "Previous attempts to provide homelessness theory, including positivism, social constructivism, feminism and postmodernism / poststructuralism - are also criticized in terms of critical realism "(Fitzpatrick, 2005a: 1). Here, as it seems, the mistake of a single basis has been violated. Social constructivism, feminism, post-structuralism can act as theories, positivism and (critical) realism as a philosophy of science, and postmodernism as a stage in the development of science. The discrepancy between modernism and postmodernism, realism and positivism, realism and relativism (instrumentalism, conventionalism, operationalism), willful and unintentional reductionism, scientific criteria, paradigms and other issues are quite interesting topics, but also very complex. While the reference to these questions will necessarily arise when reading the literature on homelessness now seems more important to focus on what the researchers are converging. This can usually be found in programs, reports or teaching aids. This is exactly what we want to pay attention to, so we can follow the pedagogical principle - from simple to complex. The main problems (questions) of studies of homelessness can be understood on the example of the studying report “European consensus conference on homelessness (BuschGeertsema, 2010a: 5-10)”. It is expressed in the following topics: explanation, and measurement of homelessness, state provision and homelessness, services for the homeless, the consequences of homelessness, ways out of homelessness.

Explanation involves identifying the causes of homelessness. Here, the history of theories is discussed, in which the view that homelessness was the result of the individual's characteristics first prevailed. Later, the emphasis shifted and homelessness was explained on the basis of the structural qualities of society. Now among the majority of scientists there is a consensus that suggests that both individual and structural factors lead to homelessness. This consensus as a theory about the causes of homelessness was called the "new orthodoxy." In an article on the review of homelessness studies from the theoretical perspective N.Pleace (Pleace, 2016: 21-22) describes a "new orthodoxy", its criticism, problems and tasks for research. "New orthodoxy" suggests that there are three factors of homelessness that are interrelated: individual qualities, access to informal support, and access to formal support. In this case, if 1 factor is negative, homelessness can be avoided if 2 factors are negative, then the risk of homelessness increases, and 3 factors - homelessness is inevitable. The program Housing First (which is expressed in the provision of ordinary housing to the homeless at once with the necessary accompanying assistance and which is opposed to "staircase" programs, requiring adaptation, re-socialization in special institutions and then providing own housing) is called by Pleace the manifesto of the "new orthodoxy". It is recognized that stair programs, such services as night shelters, lunches and others are still necessary. In the review, the scientist also shows criticism of this theory. So, as Fitzpatrick (Fitzpatrick, 2005b, 4-5) argues, the drawback of the "new orthodoxy" is that it does not allow verifying and quantifying the value of each factor. Measurement involves the definition, classification and selection of methods. Definition and classification are expressed in “European typology of homelessness and alienation from the home of ETHOS” (Busch-Geertsema, 2010b: 21-24). The typology is based on the definition of homelessness through the presence of the three signs - the place for housing, the right to housing and social opportunities for owning housing. In this case, it is recommended to treat homeless people not as one whole group, but differentiated, as several subgroups. So according to ETHOS there are 4 large groups - without a roof over their heads (roofless), located in organizations for homeless people, who are in inadequate housing. There are 13 subgroups. So to the first belong to people living and sleeping on the street (1) and living on the street, but having a place to sleep (2). Secondly, people who live in organizations for the homeless for a short time, for example, hostels (3), people living in shelters for women (4), staying in housing for migrants (5), leaving places of detention, medical , orphanages and who were without shelter (6), people provided with special housing and receiving support (7). The third group includes people who do not have the right to occupy housing that illegally rented or occupied it (8), people are threatened with evictions (9), people living in their homes, but with the threat of domestic violence (10). The fourth group includes people living in non-standard buildings, for example, huts, containers (11), in hazardous buildings (for example, badly dilapidated) housing (12), in overcrowded housing (13). A differentiated approach, the operationalization of the concept, can provide a broader understanding of homelessness and respond more flexibly to the needs of different groups of homeless people. ETHOS also sets a single categorical apparatus, which is important in the comparability of homelessness studies. In addition, among the homeless, the most vulnerable groups can be identified - young, elderly, women, migrants, minorities. In the study of relations between public provision and homelessness are studied model of social policy (welfare regimes), strategies to tackle homelessness. The models of social policy are social democratic (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark), corporate (Germany, France), liberal (Great Britain, Ireland), Mediterranean (Italy, Spain, Portugal) and others. Considering the issue of different types of services for the homeless, the model of cooperation between the state and the NGOs in the provision of services (organization structure of services), the content of services is explored. In considering the consequences of homelessness, various risks, the impact of homelessness on health, social ties, status, access to various social benefits are examined. In particular, the risks associated with various types of social support. The study of the issue of exit from homelessness involves addressing the problems of affordable housing, work, the effectiveness of organizations, programs (Busch-Geertsema,

2010c:

5-10). Thus, we analyzed the general problems in studying and combating homelessness through consideration of the report of the consensus conference of European scientists. Is it sufficiently representative, does the range of research problems on homelessness reflect? Rather yes, or at least for Europe. Three of its authors - Busch-Geertsema, O'Silivan and Pleace - are among the most cited researchers of homelessness. To a certain extent, it can be considered a confirmation of the relevance of the problems that it is the basis of the programmatic document on combating homelessness in the EU for 2014-2020. (EU, 2013). It is worth noting that in the preparation of the article the main benchmark was precisely European (including from the UK) studies of homelessness. In particular, the results of the work of FEANTSA and its journal European journal of homelessness. At the same time, European scientists often admit that American studies are more successful (more based on evidence base, more systematic, more longitudinal studies, not focusing on identifying causes of homelessness, but evaluating the effectiveness of programs) (Pleace, 2016: 25). What is the situation of studies on homelessness in Kazakhstan? During the Soviet era, homelessness studies were limited due to the legal interpretation and punishability of vagrancy and other unearned kinds of lifestyles, and it was not until the late 1980s that some research emerged. They are characterized, on the one hand, by strict legal understanding, by extensive sources of research and biography, by an active moral position and by the aim to solve the problem, on the other hand, by narrowing, studying only the poorest groups of the homeless, by unjustified extrapolation of the characteristics of these groups to all homeless people, social phobias on the homeless (Ryzhov, 2009 a). Here, the reasons for vagrancy are mainly the personality traits (laziness, apathy, antisocial attitudes) and environmental factors (unemployment, insufficient social control) (Molchanov, 2006). Russian modern science, mainly sociology, is also characterized by a low degree of study, which is reflected in the insufficient number of studies and publications, their inconstancy, fragmentation and, consequently, incompatibility. In addition, the theoretical basis of research is poorly developed, the questions of the causes of homelessness in Russian society, the link of homelessness to the social structure, the number, groups of homeless people remain open (Ryzhov, 2009b). At the heart of one of the prominent studies initiated by international organizations, but not repeated, is the concept of social inclusion (Varsopko, 2008). But still in Russia there is much more work on homelessness than in Kazakhstan. One of the most important is the publication of the results of the survey 22517 homeless in Moscow from 1995 to 2001 conducted by the organization "Doctors Without Borders" (Gutov, 2001) and the book "Homelessness: Is there a way out" (Kovalenko, 2010). There is practically no problem of homelessness in Kazakhstan science. The problem is discussed mainly in journalistic articles, in television reports. Permanent monitoring is also carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as the largest organizations for the homeless in the republic - the centers of social adaptation - are state-owned. But the results of monitoring are not published in open sources and, most likely, are poorly theorized. Indirect homelessness is touched upon in the problems of social structure and stratification, characteristic for Kazakhstan sociology (Agenov, 2007), deviation, marginalization, personality development, repatriation, youth. There is no direct statement of the problem in Kazakhstan publications and other sciences, for example, jurisprudence, economics, medicine, psychology. The problem is in publications on the formation of the housing market (Kenzhin, 2010), on the right to housing (Kystaubai, 2013), on the rights of prisoners (Bakashbaev, 2005: 6), on tuberculosis control (Iskakova, 2016). Not typical and the most prominent among the studies of homelessness in the country is A.Tanekenov's doctoral thesis "Empowerment of homeless people through employment: experience of social entrepreneurship in the UK and lessons for Kazakhstan” (Tanekenov, 2013). In the dissertation, the struggle against homelessness is examined through the concepts of A. Sen's abilities, the expansion of rights, social entrepreneurship. Studying the activities of social enterprises in the UK (where the success of the model of social entrepreneurship has been

recognized), the author uses qualitative research methods. At the conclusion of the study, he comes to 3 conclusions: 1. Unavoidability is multifaceted, the expansion of the rights of homeless people is necessary in all spheres of life. 2.In employment for homeless people, the most important is the enabling environment, which is more common in social enterprises having more social, rather than business orientations and success. 3. Social entrepreneurship, as a rule, is not self-supporting and needs subsidies (Tanekenov, 2013: i, 154-156). To conceptualize the study, we will also consider the popular concept of social exclusion / inclusion, the problems of studying NPOs, the principles of the social teaching of the Catholic Church. It is interesting to consider the concept of social exclusion / inclusion, if only because of its frequent...