Homelessness from a gender perspective. Special reference to experiences with violence throughout the life course

Abstract

Homelessness has traditionally been conceived as an eminently male phenomenon. However, a growing body of research is making female homelessness more visible. Numerous differential features have been found between homeless women and men that evince the need for incorporating the gender perspective to studies on this issue and to the design of  reventive and intervention strategies, pas well as for adapting care resources and services to the specific needs of women. In support of the above, this paper, on the basis of the national sample drawn from 2012 National Institute of Statistics’ Survey of Homeless People, found several differences concerning family history and personal background, living conditions and discrimination and victimisation events between homeless women and men. One of the most noteworthy results is the greater prevalence of experiences with  violence among women throughout their life courses.