The two passages from Cities, Change & Conflict discuss the ways in which cities criminalize the homeless and also the various reasons why people become homeless. I felt upset while reading the first passage and learning about the laws created to force the homeless to relocate elsewhere and the punishments they receive for trying to survive. These laws and regulations are not solving the problem of homelessness, but are only trying to conceal it. Focusing more on finding the reasons why homelessness is increasing and trying to decrease the number of people living in the streets should be every city’s first priority.

The passage “The Homeless“ mentions that mental health, high rent, low income, and low employment opportunities are all contributing factors that lead to homelessness. Some ways to help those with no homes is to open more shelters, provide jobs, and have counseling available. Lowering the cost of housing is also important. Big cities have high rates of homelessness because of this reason. I think it is unfair that there is a lot of vacant housing that is not being used to help those with no homes. If these issues are not resolved, the homelessness rate will only continue to increase.

Do you think that the homelessness rate in cities will decrease soon or will it continue being a problem in the next decade?

Theoretical Perspectives on the City begins by explaining how researchers have different techniques when analyzing urban society. They need to formulate appropriate questions to study and also consider how urban areas are affected both socially and economically. The way cities develop can depend on numerous factors such as income levels, the forms of infrastructure that are present, and also whether there are interactions between communities. I do wish this article went more in depth with the studies of social area analysis and how studying the population characteristics can help one to better understand the neighborhoods in cities. Various sociologists debated on the transition from rural to urban life and its effects. For example, Ferdinand Tönnies believed that urbanization caused there to be more independent individuals “acting for their own self-interest” as opposed to rural life and its close communities. I disagree with his idea that urban life can adversely affect society and with his statement that cities are “impersonal.” One can still find many close communities in each neighborhood. People of different backgrounds can introduce their own cultural ideas and beliefs that can benefit society and help it expand.

Question: Do you agree with Tönnies and his idea that urban life can create “impersonal cities” that can negatively impact society while rural areas have more tight-knit communities?