At the crossroads of policy and poverty: A critical look at homelessness, youth, and education. Literacy, education, and inequality: Assimilation and resistance narratives from families at a homeless shelter.

Abstract

The panellists in this symposium are interested in re-framing the persistent dilemma of homelessness among American families and youth. Each panellist presents a counter-narrative to the often-articulated argument that homelessness is suffered by those who are personally at fault (unmotivated, lazy, etc.) for their circumstances. All of the participants on this panel work from a perspective of social justice, and seek to understand the structural difficulties that impede potential solutions to the problem of homelessness. Through broadly defined qualitative methodologies, critical policy inquiries, and legal studies, each author renegotiates the worn-out discussion surrounding homelessness and, more importantly, discusses what educators and advocates can do to ease the plight of this rapidly growing population within schools and social service agencies.