Homeless population (how much, homes, neighborhoods)
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How much of an issue (or nuisance/eyesore) is homelessness and vagrancy in intown communities? Do you find it a problem for families with children to see "Joe the Bum" occasionally walking up and down the street? How do you feel about it?
I just have a problem with them using the bathroom all over public buildings (on the steps and doorways) and sometimes inside the building. And I am talking about museums and tourist type buildings, govt. run. This happens daily in front of my building and I am on Capital Hill. Once there was a man sleeping stomach down on this half wall and his pants were split up the ENTIRE back and yep, you guessed it, NO underwear! That certainly can't be good for kids to see. Then you get a few regulars that scream random things and use profanity. There are some regulars that are polite and don't bother anyone from what I can tell.
I just have a problem with them using the bathroom all over public buildings (on the steps and doorways) and sometimes inside the building. And I am talking about museums and tourist type buildings, govt. run. This happens daily in front of my building and I am on Capital Hill. Once there was a man sleeping stomach down on this half wall and his pants were split up the ENTIRE back and yep, you guessed it, NO underwear! That certainly can't be good for kids to see. Then you get a few regulars that scream random things and use profanity. There are some regulars that are polite and don't bother anyone from what I can tell.
Not great for the kids. But they'll live. They see worse things on tv. I've mentioned before that DC has like the fattest homeless people. I don't really have a problem with them that's just part of being in a major city.
I don't really think of it as an issue (in the sense of a public nuisance). Homelessness exists, so I also don't see it as a huge deal for kids to see. But, then again, I don't really think it's a good thing to "hide" things from kids because you don't find it particulary savory. As terrence said, they'll live. Also, they're going to run into it at some point so might as well address it while you still can.
If you really want to make a lesson out of it, take them to volunteer at a shelter or food bank or something.
IT seems much worse in San Francisco and Seattle than here.
The ones I've seen on a regular basis in neighborhoods I've lived in or frequented seemed to have mental illnesses but are basically harmless.
It's a concern, but hey it's a part of life.
I don't remember being traumatized by seeing homeless people when i was a kid. But my parents took me to volunteer at Martha's Table a couple times a month and I'd like to do the same with my own.
I think it keeps children well-rounded and makes them see how fortunate they are. I remember my daughter's first enounter with a homeless man. He was outside of a restaurant. After we were seated inside she told me she gave the man her "birthday money" which was a $10 bill. I started to cry as she told me that she felt sorry for him because he was dirty, had no teeth and no shoes on. She said she just wanted to help him.
I just have a problem with them using the bathroom all over public buildings (on the steps and doorways) and sometimes inside the building. And I am talking about museums and tourist type buildings, govt. run. This happens daily in front of my building and I am on Capital Hill. Once there was a man sleeping stomach down on this half wall and his pants were split up the ENTIRE back and yep, you guessed it, NO underwear! That certainly can't be good for kids to see. Then you get a few regulars that scream random things and use profanity. There are some regulars that are polite and don't bother anyone from what I can tell.
I think if the poor homeless person didn't have a decent pair of pants donating a pair to him would be a nice thing to do. I also agree with how it can influence children positively (as long as they are not the "shouting random stuff" person that you mentioned) Teaches children to be compassionate. Other major cities in the world have Rampant poverty -nothing compared to what you see here.
IT seems much worse in San Francisco and Seattle than here.
San Francisco has an alarmingly high homeless population. Particularly around the Civic Center area; it's perhaps the highest concentration of homesless persons that I've seen in any U.S. city.
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