We use stereotypes and prejudices to legitimate our discrimination towards people of different race, sex, religious beliefs, age, and spoken language, amongst other characteristics. We use fear of the unknown and unfamiliar. We have even learned to discriminate based on class and where a person lives. Individual and collective beliefs shape the way we treat others. Generally, homeless people are classified as people who have no interest in obtaining a job and live off of others tax dollars.
Modern media adds to our stereotypes of the homeless.
They are usually portrayed in movies as filthy, crazy, untrustworthy individuals. In our society, the homeless are commonly thought to obtain sizable incomes from panhandling and other various methods which they use to purchase drugs and alcohol. There are many government and private organizations dedicated to helping the homeless in this country. It appears the organizations are treating the homeless as inferior people with no rationalization skills or self-control. It is easy for us to see the homeless person as somehow inferior to us, like an animal needing to be housebroken.