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‘Near and Far': Social Distancing in Domiciled Characterisations of Homeless People

Author

Listed:
  • Darrin Hodgetts

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Private Bag 31 05, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand)

  • Ottilie Stolte

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Private Bag 31 05, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand)

  • Alan Radley

    (Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.)

  • Chez Leggatt-Cook

    (The School of Psychology, Massey University Albany, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand)

  • Shiloh Groot

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Private Bag 31 05, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand)

  • Kerry Chamberlain

    (The School of Psychology, Massey University Albany, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand)

Abstract

For domiciled individuals, homeless people provide a disturbing reminder that all is not right with the world. Reactions to seeing homeless people frequently encompass repulsion, discomfort, sympathy and sometimes futility. This paper considers domiciled constructions of homeless people drawn from interviews with 16 participants recruited in the central business district of a New Zealand city. It documents how, when trying to make sense of this complex social problem, domiciled people draw on shared characterisations of homeless people. The concept of ‘social distance’ is used to interrogate the shifting and sometimes incongruous reactions evident in participant accounts. ‘Social distancing’ is conceptualised as a dynamic communal practice existing in interactions between human beings and reflected in the ways that domiciled people talk about their experiences with homeless individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Darrin Hodgetts & Ottilie Stolte & Alan Radley & Chez Leggatt-Cook & Shiloh Groot & Kerry Chamberlain, 2011. "‘Near and Far': Social Distancing in Domiciled Characterisations of Homeless People," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(8), pages 1739-1753, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:48:y:2011:i:8:p:1739-1753
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    Cited by:

    1. Witten, Karen & Kearns, Robin & Carroll, Penelope, 2015. "Urban inclusion as wellbeing: Exploring children's accounts of confronting diversity on inner city streets," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 349-357.
    2. N.F. Boesveldt & A.J.G.M. Montfort & J.C.J. Boutellier, 2018. "The Efficacy of Local Governance Arrangements in Relation to Homelessness. A Comparison of Copenhagen, Glasgow, and Amsterdam," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 345-360, September.

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