Deviance over the life course: the case of homeless substance abusers.
Characteristics of the homeless population highlight current and emerging social problems in America. It is estimated there are two to three million homeless people in the United States and that between 20% and 80% have substance abuse problems. In this paper I apply Hirschi's social bond theory to a qualitative study of 31 male homeless substance users from New Haven, Connecticut. I interviewed each man once in 1992 and a second time during 1993. The interview data provide evidence of non-normative attachments to families, friends, and institutions where there is little commitment to conventional goals. I conclude that for these men, being homeless and abusing substances is normative to their lives.
Department of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393, USA. stephanie.hartwell@umb.edu
Stephanie
S
Hartwell
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*