A qualitative examination of masculinity, homelessness, and social class among men in a transitional shelter.

Abstract

This study explored the intersection and meaning of homelessness, masculinity, and social class among 15 men who are homeless. Using Consensual Qualitative Research Methodology (Hill, Thompson, & Williams, 1997), three major domains arose from the data: The Homeless Experience, Perceptions of Men and Masculinity, and Changing Social Status. Participants described (a) gaining empathy for the homeless after they became homeless; (b) economic, personal, and substance use and abuse as barriers to moving out of homelessness; (c) retaining their sense of masculinity regardless of being homeless; and (d) aspirations for a better, nonhomeless future. Men also discussed the importance of mental health and substance abuse services. Implications for psychologists and future research are discussed.

The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gender

“…It is also important that we explore with the people we work with how social class is understood and how it is 'played out' in our interpersonal relations and social interactions (Liu, 2012). Lastly, we echo Liu's (2009) sentiments by cautioning against treating anyone requiring our help as 'helpless' or without identity by being acutely aware of the gendered, sexual, and classed world in which they have lived, do live, and hope to live.…”

Stories From the Streets: Identity Management Strategies of Low Status Groups

“…The problem is not that people experiencing homelessness do not have the skills to tell their stories; they simply do not have the space. The condition of being homeless not only makes gaining access to employment, support, and stability difficult (Liu, Stinson, Hernandez, Shepard, & Haag, 2009), it also makes it harder to gain access to spaces in which people can tell their stories. Space is a privilege reserved for those who have resources.…”

The subjective experience of social class and upward mobility among African American men in graduate school.

“…To address this limit, a new model was proposed that takes into account the subjective perception of differences within and between social-class groups known as the Social Class Worldview Model (SCWM; Liu 2002; Liu, Ali, Soleck, Hopps, Dunston, & Pickett, 2004; Liu, Stinson, Hernandez, Shepard, & Haag, 2009). SCWM posits that people live within different economic cultures that place certain demands and expectations on them, which affects their opportunities for accessing resources and for upward mobility.…”

“…The person's worldview influences his or her social-class behaviors (e.g., manners, etiquette, language accents), lifestyle considerations (e.g., how one spends time), and relationship to material objects. To maintain one's social class, people may express various forms of prejudice such as upward classism (e.g., perceiving that someone is in a higher social class position and labeling him or her an “elitist” or a “snob”), downward classism (e.g., perceiving that someone is in a lower social class position and labeling him or her as “lazy”), lateral classism (e.g., perceiving that someone is in a similar social class position and reminding him or her to “keep up with the Joneses”), and internalized classism (e.g., feelings of anxiety, depression, and frustration resulting from not being able to maintain one's social class position; Lapour & Heppner, 2009; Liu et al, 2009). …”