Inhumane Deviancy: A normative assessment of the challenge of homelessness
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2021-07-13
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en
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This thesis discusses two fundamentally opposing normative approaches to homelessness in order to assess whether the challenge of homelessness is a problem of care or a problem of deviancy. On the one hand, there is the difference approach which argues that current society is not respecting the alternative way of living of the homeless which is problematic since this wrongly reduces the homeless to less worthy individuals. On the other hand, there is the care approach which argues that fundamental needs of the homeless are in jeopardy – most importantly the lack of a home – which is problematic since this leads to an unworthy life. Whilst the difference approach attempts to solve the challenge by offering a new interpretation of citizenship which is more accommodating for different lifestyles, the care approach focusses on the provision of care in order to meet a minimal threshold of basic human needs. Although the difference approach tries to work around the stigmatization of the homeless, this thesis argues that this is not sufficiently solving the challenge since it rather helps the homeless dwelling which leads to both the lagging behind on the provision of basic needs and unavoidable normalization (‘looking down upon’). However, this thesis also argues that the care approach is not completely free from problems due to the use of coercion. Concludingly, both approaches cannot truly ‘end’ homelessness but do help the homeless to some extent. Therefore, society should no longer be indecisive of divided concerning what approach to support and commit to one of both. This thesis argues that the care approach is better suited in assessing and solving the challenge of homelessness as a first step since it offers an immediate solution to the challenge.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen