The Mean Reds

“You know those days when you’ve got the mean reds … the blues are because you’re getting fat or maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re sad, that’s all. But the mean reds are horrible. You’re afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Except something bad is going to happen, only you don’t know what it is.”

— Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1958

I was speaking with a friend today about the many factors surrounding homelessness, and even more specifically the varied issues and lack of support that single women over 50 face, who for whatever reason find themselves either turned out, divorced, jobless, moneyless, or horrendously compromised.  When I say lack of support, that is precisely what I mean. 

It is so easy to assume that a person in this kind of situation will be taken care of by the government. This is not always the case. I know of a woman who has not been able to find work in over 2 years, and she receives $400 a month from Social Security.  When she finally decided to actually apply for welfare assistance, she was staggered to find out that she earns too much income! She faced the harsh reality is that welfare is primarily set up for struggling mothers who have children in the home.  This was also to include all facets of welfare assistance and food stamps. 

A recent report in SexualHealth.com says, "Homeless women in America have experienced a steady decline in mental, physical and financial health over the past decade, a new report finds.  In addition, the report showed,  "Women appeared to have had more acute and chronic mental health problems, significantly poorer overall health, and more limitations in physical functioning. They also reported more limitations in their social abilities due to their physical or emotional health problems, the study said.  Past studies have shown that homeless mothers with depression are unlikely to receive mental health services, and untreated depression can harm the development and well-being of both the mothers and their children."

Here's another mind-blower... It is actually illegal for a restaurant or business establishment to give the homeless food. This same friend and I when discussing homelessness told me that she tried to feed a homeless man pizza, and the minute she did, a policeman pulled up and warned her that it is illegal, and told her he would have to issue her a ticket if she continued.  These poor people often eat out of trash bins, or pick up scraps on the streets.  How can there possibly be an ordinance against helping someone out with something to eat?  It's outrageous! 

It is doubtful that anyone wakes up one morning with the desire to become homeless. The reasons that anyone ends up turned out are numerous and often complicated, but it is certain that these kind of stories are endless. There are scores of women who once lived respectable lives, who did not plan for life to take such a downbeat turn — a turn that has undoubtedly increased with our stormy economy.

Further Reading:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/06/17/96074/report-nations-economic-collapse.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/11/homeless.blogger/index.html
http://reg.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/43206-blanket-of-stars-offers-different-look-at-homeless-women.html
http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/87_years_old_and_homeless_for_the_first_time