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In this study, the meaning of the experience of being homeless as lived by 15 homeless women with dependent children is explored. The significance of being homeless is approached from what is known about the concept of home. Following a review of the literature, an identification of the sample, and an explanation of how data were collected, a three-level phenomenological method was utilized: description, reduction, and interpretation. The descriptive level generates seven themes: boundaries, connections, fatigue/ despair, self-respect, self-determination, privacy, and mobility. The reduction level reveals three ways of being homeless: physical, social, and symbolic. The interpretation of the meaning of being homeless employs the metaphor of homelessness as a whirlpool. Implications for nursing and social policy are discussed.
During the 1980s there was a dramatic increase in demand for shelters for families with young children (Ringheim, 1990). Nationally, families have been reported to represent one-third of the homeless population (Weinreb & Bassuk, 1990). The information available about homeless mothers, however, remains limited (Berne, Dato, Mason, & Rafferty, 1990). Without a clear understanding of the experience of mese women the information that is available remains loosely linked, and the effectiveness of interventions and policies remains difficult to evaluate. The purpose of this nursing inquiry was to explore the meaning of the experience of being homeless as lived by women in homeless families.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
In the absence of a clear theoretical understanding of the phenomenon of homelessness, this study approaches homelessness in light of the concept of home. Housing, with adequate space and security, meets basic human needs. A home, on the other hand, is a more complicated phenomenon with significant objective and subjective dimensions. According to Dovey (1985), a home provides for order, identity, and connectedness. Rybczynski (1986) stated mat a home is a place wherein one can experience domestic comfort and well-being. He defined comfort as having various layers of meaning, including privacy, ease, and convenience.
A home serves a multiplicity of roles related to the family economy. A house is a valuable asset. Households may use their house to generate income by renting rooms or having a home business. It encompasses appliances that offer efficiency and convenience. Home ownership remains a measure of one's achievements and stability. In summary, home...