| Chapter 1: | Background and Significance of the Study |
Chapter Six looks at the theories through which the findings of this research project are analyzed. Chapter Seven analyzes portrayals of the homeless in the mass media. Chapter Eight provides final conclusions from the results of the research, presents recommendations and provides opportunities for further study.
Most people do not have face-to-face encounters with the homeless; in fact, many of us try to avoid such encounters. People generally gain their knowledge and form their opinions regarding the homeless from their own exposure to news stories in the media, i.e., what they have read in the newspapers or heard on radio or television. While such knowledge and opinion may be distorted due to inaccuracies or distortions in the reporting (Hartman & Husband, 1974), people are, nonetheless, generally willing to express their opinions on the issue of homelessness because they believe the information they have received from the media.
In fact, people think they are being educated about what is going on in the world because they view television and read newspapers. However, many national television news broadcasts and other national media portray the homeless as ordinary people whose problems can be “fixed” by a meal and some overnight shelter. This portrayal is at odds with the experiences of many homeless service providers.
Donors from among the general public to ministries and other service providers to the homeless respond generously to appeals that emphasize the need for food and overnight shelter. They do not respond well to appeals that emphasize the need to fund rehabilitative programs, which most homeless services providers understand are an integral part of seeing alcohol and drug dependent homeless people reintegrated into mainstream community life.
General Statement of the Issue or Problem
I examine the relationship of national print and electronic media in their limited and oftentimes misleading portrayal of the homeless.
The book comprises, in part, a content analysis of both print and electronic media stories, in order to determine exactly what picture the national media are presenting to the public.