Anthropology of Homelessness: Cultural Relativism, Violence, and Ethnographic Methods

What is Cultural Relativism?

Cultural relativism is the practice of understanding behaviors and beliefs within their own social and cultural context rather than judging them by outside standards.

What is Ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism is judging another culture by the standards of one's own culture and assuming one's values are superior.

What is Fieldwork?

Fieldwork is long-term immersive observation where anthropologists directly participate in the lives of those they study.

What is Ethnographic Research?

Ethnographic research is qualitative study focused on lived experience through participation and observation.

What Structural Factors Cause Homelessness?

Structural causes include lack of affordable housing, deindustrialization, unemployment, racism, criminalization, healthcare barriers, and failed treatment systems.

What is Dopesickness?

Dopesickness is heroin withdrawal, characterized by physical symptoms like sweating and vomiting, and psychological symptoms like panic and anxiety.

Why Are Theoretical Frameworks Important?

Theoretical frameworks explain deeper causes behind observed behavior.

What is the Purpose of Theoretical Models?

Theoretical models organize observations into explanations, revealing hidden systems of power and patterns of inequality.

What are the Ethics of Research with Vulnerable Populations?

Researchers must obtain consent, avoid exploitation, respect dignity, protect privacy, and reflect on power imbalances.

Why Combine Photography and Text?

Photography captures emotional and physical realities that words may miss, while text provides context.

What are the Risks of Photography Without Context?

Without context, images may reinforce stereotypes, turn suffering into spectacle, and dehumanize subjects.

What is Lumpen?

Lumpen refers to socially excluded people disconnected from stable labor systems.

What is Lumpen Abuse?

Lumpen abuse is mistreatment experienced because society sees lumpen populations as disposable.

What is Structural Violence?

Structural violence is systemic harm caused by institutions limiting access to survival resources.

What is Symbolic Violence?

Symbolic violence occurs when oppressed people internalize blame for structural suffering.

What is Agency vs Structure?

Agency is the ability to choose, while structure refers to social systems that limit choices.

What is Moral Economy?

Moral economy is survival through reciprocal exchange and obligation among participants.

What is Cultural Capital?

Cultural capital is socially valued knowledge, behaviors, and skills.

What is Gentrification?

Gentrification is urban redevelopment that displaces poorer residents.

What Are Racial Tensions in the Book?

Race shapes social hierarchy differently, with different stigmas for Black and White participants.

What is Visual Anthropology?

Visual anthropology uses photography and film as research tools.

How Does Ethnography Humanize Marginalized Groups?

Ethnography reveals full humanity beyond stereotypes.

What is Person-First Language?

Person-first language places humanity before condition, promoting dignity.

Why Were Middle-Aged White Injectors Lowest in the Hierarchy?

They violated dominant expectations of whiteness, masculinity, and productivity, leading to harsh judgment.

Explain Moral Economy and How it Affected Helping Programs.

The moral economy involved sharing resources, which helped survival but reinforced addiction.

How Do Structural and Symbolic Violence Work Together?

Structural violence creates material suffering, while symbolic violence causes self-blame.

What is a must-memorize quote about Symbolic Violence?

"But it ain't my mother's fault... That's on me."

What is a must-memorize quote about Structural Violence?

"Then the HEW funding ended and I went back to being a bum."

What is a must-memorize quote about Race?

"Poor African-American boys were being formed into professional outlaws..."

What is a must-memorize quote about Stigma?

"I'm the only black sheep of the family."

What is a must-memorize quote about Humanization?

"If I could do it all over again I'd just want it to last a lot more years."