Challenges of homelessness that Females face.

                                       Challenges of homelessness that Females face

Moral Philosophy as stated by Michael Pacione in Urban Geography, A Global Perspective is:

“An approach based on moral philosophy or ethics represents an emergent perspective in urban geography. This seeks to examine critically the moral bases of society. Central to the ethical perspective is the concept of normative judgement that focuses on what should be rather than what is. This involves critical evaluation of actual situations against normative conditions as defined by ethical principles. In urban geography, researchers are confronted constantly by ethical issues. Questions addressed include the extent to which there is equity in the distribution of welfare services, employment opportunities and decent housing for different social groups in the city; how to interpret the causes of inner-city poverty (including the relative weight attached to personal deficiencies of the population, or structurally induced constraints on behaviour)”(p.37).

            Fundamentally, I believe that the photograph above should not be viewed as morally sound in Trinidad’s society. Although persons become socially displaced and homeless due to several factors that work independently, simultaneously or together I firmly believe that the female vagrant seen sleeping under the fly over in Chaguanas to be quite unethical and disturbing. I believe this not only because the individual is a female but also it may give a negative view on the ethics of a country when it comes to the care of its citizens.

            The above photo, was taken at approximately 7am in the morning and whilst conducting my research on homelessness in the study area. Later that morning – approximately four hours later – when passing by the area a second time, she was still seen now awake and relaxing in the spot. The area is heavily traversed by pedestrians and vehicles as it’s the main access route to the north highway and from Chaguanas CBD to Montrose and environs. This site is also quite polluted by the public and heavily soiled by motor oil and other fluids running of the above high way. It is clear that she is not bothered by either the stench, heat or pollution in the area and is quite relaxed and at home in the urban space.

            What is more ethically unsound is the fact that, she is the only female vagrant amongst a number of male vagrants. If she becomes pregnant at any point as a street-dweller there will be more issues attached to the situation not just her lack of residence.

Reference:
Pacione, M. (2005). Urban geography: A global perspective. Psychology Press.

Photo Taken on Wednesday 1st April 2015 by Rosa-Marie Ramkissoon.