Role exit from home to homeless

Abstract

This paper addresses homeless ness as an involuntary type of role exit, experienced by women residing in emergency shelters or a transitional housing program. Put forth is an analysis of Ebaugh's role exit process (which has traditionally been applied to voluntary types of transitions). A reordered model is presented which considers a unique sequential process. Specifically, these areas a reexamined: the events leading to homelessness, decision making in terms of procuring shelter and other resources, the development of the homeless identity, the experience of homelessness as a distinctive role, and plans for exiting this role.