SW 495 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Main Stem, Hooverville, White Lodging
Document Summary
The terms vagrancy and vagrants have universally implied that those so labeled are not only wanderers without homes, but are also likely to participate in criminal activity. Became a social issue in england during the 14th century, when a transition to a capitalist economy resulted in the dislocation of poor individuals. By 1349, vagrancy had been criminalized through enactment of poor laws . The american colonies (and in the future, states) enacted similar laws: attempted to deal with poverty in a way that offered relief to those deemed deserving . Local residents, primarily disabled men, widows, and children: while denying it to the undeserving . Vagrant strangers: aid was provided by religious/civic groups (private agencies) rather than by the government. Aid to the aged and indigent became the responsibility of the government after the creation of social security and public assistance.
