Award Date

5-15-2017

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Sociology

Advisor 1

Kerie Francis

Advisor 2

Christine Batson

Advisor 3

Heather Lusty

Number of Pages

50

Abstract

Homelessness is defined as having no set place to sleep. It includes those sleeping literally outside, those staying in a shelter or vehicle, and those living at a friend’s home, or in a daily, weekly, or month to month rental. The number of homeless in the United States is staggering; there were 630,840 declared homeless people in the United States in 2012 (Utah 2012), a figure that doesn’t include the less visible homeless, such as those staying with friends or in unstable rentals. This study aims to bring more attention and understanding to the homeless community on the Las Vegas Strip. What is its demographic makeup? What creates social capital among its members? Why do people prefer this location to many others like it in the area? Preliminary findings suggest that there may be less diversity and social cohesiveness in this “neighborhood” than previously thought. I’ve also observed a lack of positive interaction between the homeless and the housed. This opens the door to a plethora of additional questions for further study.

Disciplines

Sociology

Language

English

Download


Included in

Sociology Commons

Share

COinS