Along with the Conflict Perspective, other macro theories will be applied to this topic, for instance, Structural Functionalism – which according to Kendall (2013), is “a society composed of interrelated parts, each of which serves a function and ideally contributes to the overall stability of society” (pg. 21). From this theory, it is customary for homelessness to be part of society in order to maintain an equilibrium of poverty, class distinction, and job creations/innovations.
Corresponding to this, Robbins, Chatterjee, & Canda (2012), state that: Structural functionalism is the best suited for macro-level practice methods such as community organizing, community development, or legislative advocacy. Macro-level practice methods that stem from a functionalist framework likely promote incremental rather than radical change. The concept of homeostasis mandates the policies and programs preserve stability while, at the same time, they promote change that can be absorbed by the system (pg. 49).
Currently in Fort Worth, Texas a program called Directions Home is emphasizing a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness by 2018. The program is designed to house the individual/families first and then to offer wraparound services through case management with goals and objectives to reduce the returns of homelessness/recidivism rates (Directions Home, 2015). Currently, Directions Home reports to be on target financially, with the exception of finding enough suitable housing/dwellings for the approved recipients.
With a designated task force and city of Fort Worth leaders, it is noticeable how housing in particular is developed is small increments. However, in doing this, homeless individuals/ families may have been prioritized and awarded a housing voucher to find out that there are no current unoccupied homes/apartments for them to move into. This will not only affect their status of homelessness, but can trigger feelings of hopelessness and vulnerability. It can be said through observation that the city if carefully planning how to evenly disperse long-term subsidized housing into the rest of society without inundating certain areas.
In doing this, it will keep society functioning at its optimal level without causing any further distraction or infractions as a whole. As Johnson & Rhodes (2015), state “Social class is to rank with others in terms of wealth, power, and prestige. This ranking separates people into different groups that experience different opportunities in life and different ways of looking at the world” (pg. 225). Furthermore, when analyzing the different classes, and the distributions of wealth and income in the United Sates; for instance, the upper, middle, and lower classes – it is an astronomical amount of wealth that the top 1 percent acquire.
It is also noted by Johnson & Rhodes (2015), “that income and wage inequality have risen sharply over the last thirty years” (pg. 228). Equally important to this, is how the average change in income is divided in Americas quintiles and the widening gaps. For example, in Table 5. 2, while the lowest fifth quintile increased from $11,128 to $11,361 – a difference of $233. 00 from years 2006 to 2012; the highest quintile increased from $289,446 to $319,918 – an exponential increase of $30,472 (pg. 229).
With income inequalities at this rate, it is difficult for the majority of the United States to experience upward social mobility. Pursuing this further, in a line stated by Johnson and Rhodes (2015), “The wealthiest Americans can live on the dividends from their investments without having to touch the principle or work for a salary” (pg. 230). From this, it is visible to see how society has compartmentalized different levels of functions to keep a so called balance for the greater good of society.
According to Davis & Moore (1945), “Functionalist believe that an unequal class structure is necessary for a successful society” (pg. 234). This perspective capitalizes in rewards and meritocracy from the advantaged and highly positioned. Additionally, poverty is viewed as functional, in that it keeps the low-paying jobs in high demand among the working poor, in return, keeping the goods, merchandise, and services at an affordable price. When applying this to the homeless population, it is applicable in terms of how they struggle to find adequate employment and financial stability.
For instance, while being a homeless case manager during my internship at the (SSVF) program, I noticed the constant struggle of my clients acquiring full-time employment. Most often, if not always, clients would give up on seeking employment through large corporations, established businesses, and revert back to day labor jobs, via temp agencies. Not to discredit temp agencies, but through client’s self-reports and experiences, clients would only get compensated at minimum wage, and in some instances, be missing wages for labored hours.
Along with menial minimum wage labor jobs, most homeless individuals do not have a checking/savings account, and are left vulnerable to check cashing businesses, advanced payday loans, and pawnshops, that entail an immense interest rate. Along with the financial factor, homeless individuals face several deficiencies, such as healthy nutrition, safe affordable housing, accurate mental health evaluations, and reliable transportation – to name a few. As hard as it may be to digest, according to the functionalist perspective, homelessness is deeply rooted into societies fundamental principles since the beginning of man-kind.
In order for this function to optimistically shift, the leaders with the highest power and monetary prosperity would have to distribute some of their resources for others to start gaining equal momentum. By the same token, functional importance by way of accomplishments and jobs, is another way of being rewarded and elevated in societies acceptable governing laws. In the end, the functionalist perspective sees every sector of society playing a vital role by contributing to the system in some way to the system’s overall stability.
