I don't like to drive often but needed to do a big grocery shop this morning at the Thrifty's downtown. Sitting at the intersection of Victoria Crescent and Nicol Street waiting for the light to change offers a sad sight. So many "shady" characters hanging out next to the highway on the same strip of grass that announces "Welcome to Nanaimo" or some such sign. It was hard to see the sign past the shopping carts. Skinny young gangster types obviously hooked on crystal and who's bodies are so ruined by drugs and street life that they can barely walk like they are younger than ninety years old. Unshaven men who look older than they probably are seem as if their only drive to go elsewhere is if they're told to move on and women who may have been beautiful long ago, covered with scabs and barely clothed giving every man they walk by a come hither smile. The New Hope Centre is supposed to discourage the lounging around on that strip of grass but it seems every time I walk by it's littered with people and the garbage they leave behind.
The homelessness issue is one I feel so conflicted by. There are many people out on the street with mental illness who have little other option since taking care of themselves is obviously not feasible. There are many others out there who are there thanks to drug addictions. I'm sure there are even a few who are out there because they have no where else to go. Difficult home lives and the like. What can be done? What is being done already to help with this problem? I have to scratch my head when some suggest the police "do something" about it. Being homeless isn't against the law.
The housing initiatives I've read about happening in Nanaimo over the next few years have me asking more questions. For one are they going to be placed all over Nanaimo? Many of the people that need housing need to get away from the downtown area and the life they've know for so long. They need a new perspective. Many people on the street need mental health assistance. These people aren't able to be independent. Is there going to be appropriate housing for these people?
I'm not sure how I feel about too many "low barrier" style housing options. I'd like to think that the bulk of the new housing goal is to help people get a step closer to breaking free from homelessness, drugs, crime or whatever their personal problems associated with being homeless are and getting people independent and contributing to the quality of their own lives. I guess I hope that it goes beyond putting a simple roof over their heads.
I would feel so much less contempt for some of these people if they weren't littering (garbage, needles...) or generally showing minimal concern for the community that cares about enjoying where we live. I suppose many of them would show more care and concern if they were less looked down upon and ignored. Quite the conundrum.
A big part of me wonders why no one cares to think more about why people are becoming homeless in the first place? Why the appropriate mental health professionals are coming up with evaluations for individuals just barely above what's deemed needing full time care? I mostly wonder though why we put so little thought as a society into supporting families in raising children into becoming mentally healthy, stable individuals who care about their community and other people.
Mainstream parenting these days seems to push children away to make them "independent" despite the fact that they are children and in every way need to feel dependant on their parents or guardians. A baby who came from the most intimate of places- inside our womb is born and placed in a barred box in a room down the hall, away from the comfort of our arms. We have devises like bucket car seats and swings to put our children in so we don't even have to hold them. There are self feeding bottles so you needn't be troubled with being near when they are hungry. Schedules and control are central to many parenting practices. This teaches our children not to trust themselves or their parents. Many parents aren't even raising their own children because of the "need" for a second income. Older children and teens quickly decide that their peers are their real family. How frightening is this? That they rely on one another for emotional support and growth. How can you mature if what you strive to be like is the same age and maturity level as yourself?
I propose a great deal of societies problems could be solved by trying to focus on families now. Endorse back to the basics, sensible and natural parenting practises and perhaps teaching families skills like how to cook basic, nutritious yet appetising whole foods meals and other ways to make staying home with your children affordable and generally helping families to thrive.
There are studies done that say the most important years in a person's life are the first three. That how the child is raised and treated during this time can determine what kind of person they could become. Having their needs met in these early years can make it easier for these children to one day meet their own needs and other's later in life. I read one study (and damn it if I could find it now!) in which convicts were questioned about their upbringing and virtually all had difficult and dysfunctional family situations often including abuse.
It's easier for me to feel compassionate for these people when I recognise the many reasons that they are out there.
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