Teresa Gowan, “Hobos, Hustlers and Backsliders-Homeless in San Francisco” (University of Minnesota Press, 2010)Teresa Gowan, “Hobos, Hustlers and Backsliders-Homeless in San Francisco” (University of Minnesota Press, 2010)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Why do people become homeless? Is it because some people have made bad decisions in their lives or can’t hold onto a stable job? Or is homelessness the result of a depilating mental illness or chemical addiction? From a different perspective,
1:08:25•25 Mar 2011
Unpacking Homelessness: Identity and Systemic Issues in San Francisco
“I really liked about the project, as it seemed like it developed from just looking at recycling, was how people themselves take up these discourses.”
What really drives homelessness? Is it poor choices, unstable jobs, or something deeper? In this eye-opening episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery', host Marshall Poe sits down with Teresa Gowan to discuss her compelling book, 'Hobos, Hustlers and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco'. Gowan dives into the lives of San Francisco's homeless population, revealing how systemic issues like lack of affordable housing and institutional racism shape their daily realities.
She challenges the notion that homelessness is merely an individual failing, arguing instead that it's a complex societal problem. Through vivid stories and thorough research, Gowan paints a detailed picture of how homeless individuals navigate their identities amidst the city's shelters, treatment centers, and recycling economy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the broader factors at play in homelessness and how public policies can either help or hinder those without stable housing.
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