The Impact of Familial Relationships on Poverty and Homelessness

Every single individual is born into circumstances over which they have no influence or control. Familial relationships are a primary example of a factor that are a virtue of birth and, specifically, are important for lifelong well being. Though the development of such relationships may appear to be an aspect of life that is within control, it often is not.

As individuals grow, connections built with those of the immediate family become more complex as needs, struggles, and conflicts arise. Simultaneously, many begin to depend on family to provide resources that will allow them to gain self-esteem and self-actualization. As familial relationships encounter both of the aforementioned scenarios, the potential risks and rewards of these relationships have a cumulative impact on health and future outcomes.

A poor relationship in particular, whether a result of general disagreement or disapproval, is a stressor that can take a toll on an individual’s well-being. Additional disadvantages to families such as addiction, limited income, and socioeconomic class can also place greater pressures on the family which in turn negatively affect the bonds of the relationship.

Last week, EEqual released a video on our scholar, Ruby Star, in which she describes her personal experience with how familial relationships can be the leading cause of homelessness. In Ruby’s case, she was kicked out of her home by her father while she was still in high school. As she states in the video, her relationship with her father was not inamicable. However, conflict over certain decisions that Ruby had made was what led to the incident.

One cannot say for certain that the relationship between Ruby and her father was strained due to external factors. However, throughout her childhood, her immigrant family moved locations quite frequently which could have been a potential stressor to the family. Regardless, stories like Ruby’s are not uncommon. Many individuals experiencing homelessness have been forced to do so as a result of broken or weakened connections with their families. 

According to a study of youth in shelters, nearly 50% reported intense conflict or physical harm by a family member as a major contributing factor to their homelessness. In addition to this, a study conducted by the Covenant House, an agency that supports the homeless, revealed that 41% of Covenant House kids witnessed acts of violence in their homes. The aforementioned statements indicate that many of the youth experiencing homelessness are doing so out of necessity. More specifically, they are experiencing homelessness because their relationships with their families were no longer ones of comfort or safety.

Often, it is assumed that those who are homeless ended up in the situation as a result of their own actions or wrongdoings. This perception of individuals experiencing homelessness needs to be broadened to accommodate those who have had no say in the matter as well. At EEqual, a youth-led non-profit dedicated to helping students experiencing poverty and homelessness, we work to inform others of stories like Ruby’s and shed light on the issue.

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