Sidewalk Sleeping

Sidewalk Sleeping

  • Submitted By: jmil
  • Date Submitted: 11/05/2008 12:47 PM
  • Category: Social Issues
  • Words: 1650
  • Page: 7
  • Views: 939

In reading Sidewalk Sleeping, by Mitchell Duneier, the author reveals the truth behind the society and thought process of the streets vendors and scavengers called homeless people. Through his participant observation, Duneier discovers that the sidewalk life of these people is an organized society with rules and bylaws to maintain order. This is said to be similar to our society in many ways, but how do drug dealers and crack addicts have any sense of civility? I believe there is a major difference between what is called modern society and that of the sidewalk people. Personally, I do not agree with the homeless style of life and it does not reflect a healthy lifestyle. The homeless life versus that of modern society has many differences, mainly between the working classes and organizationof the two societies. I do not understand how a human being would desire to live on the streets, but the logic behind these people’s way of reasoning reflects why they choose that way of life. Modern society reveals that one must strive for his/her best achieve greatness in life. That is what keeps society as a whole moving in the right direction, is the concept that everyone is working to succeed in life. The drive to survive is instinctive in all human beings, and that is the main reason everyone getsup in the morning to go to work. In order to provide food on the table and a roof over our heads, one must work. On the other hand, homeless people must not have that desire for success and it is evident through the way they live. Making money on the streets dealing, stealing, prostituting, and rummaging through garbage is not how we were intended to live. These people might of a system of work and income, but for the most part it seems as if they are looking for a free handout. We as humans are compassionate and give to the poor, but I do not agree with the poor wanting to be poor. Sometimes we must make wise Miller 2 judgments when giving to the homeless, some may actually be...

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