Student Perspectives on Homelessness: Contact Is Related to Helpful Attitudes

Abstract

Research in the U.S. population shows that contact with homelessness, like exposure to social diversity, is associated with more helpful attitudes, promoting greater social responsibility and civic engagement. This article empirically examines the theory that students who have greater contact with homelessness through the media, schooling, and direct experiences also have more helpful attitudes about homelessness. Survey data support hypotheses to show that students who have more contact with or exposure to homelessness are significantly more accepting of structural explanations of homelessness and poverty, less likely to consider homelessness a community burden, and more willing to help reduce homelessness. Including homelessness in educational curricula helps increase student contact with homelessness, building structural explanations and promoting more helpful attitudes towards homelessness. Teaching and learning about homelessness can help students and teachers fulfill ethical obligations to engage with communities, take civic responsibilities, and improve society.