Gendered pathways: family violence as a primary pathway into homelessness for women

Abstract

This thesis analyzes secondary data from a study done on 30 homeless men and women in a region in Southern Ontario to assess the gendering of homeless pathways between each group. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess participant interviews and form themes which include family violence as a primary pathway for women, with more traditional pathways such as substance abuse and loss of income for men. Lack of services for women was a recurring issue, while feelings of embarrassment and/or shame were consistent with the male participants. Indigenous identity and homelessness were also explored. Erving Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy was used to portray identity in terms of homelessness and victimization to demonstrate the hidden nature of these two issues. The common themes and findings within this study suggest that pathways into homelessness are gendered, with family violence being a primary pathway for women specifically.