Why We Look Away: Addressing the Ethical and Emotional Dimensions of Homelessness

When we encounter someone experiencing homelessness, the tendency to look away is a common and often unconscious response. This behavior is rooted in a complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and social factors. Understanding why we look away is crucial for advancing compassion and ethical behavior in society.

Psychological and Social Factors Contributing to Looking Away

Discomfort and Guilt: Many people feel uncomfortable when confronted with the reality of homelessness. This discomfort often arises from feelings of guilt or helplessness. While the desire to help is noble, the uncertainty about how to do so effectively can lead to avoidance. People may feel incapable of providing meaningful assistance, leading them to look away.

Social Norms: Across cultures, there are unwritten social norms that govern public behavior. One such norm is the expectation not to linger or make prolonged eye contact with individuals experiencing homelessness. These norms often stem from a desire to avoid perceived awkwardness or to maintain a sense of decorum in public spaces. When these norms are violated, individuals may look away to adhere to societal expectations.

Dehumanization: Some individuals unconsciously dehumanize people experiencing homelessness, viewing them as a social problem rather than as individuals with their own stories and struggles. This dehumanization can lead to avoidance behaviors. The perception of homelessness as a systemic issue, rather than individual struggles, can desensitize people to the realities faced by those experiencing homelessness.

Emotional Responses and Cognitive Processes

Fear and Safety Concerns: Homelessness may be associated with potential danger or unpredictability. Some individuals may look away as a protective measure, fearing for their own safety or the safety of those around them. This fear often leads to avoidance behavior rather than direct interaction.

Cognitive Dissonance: Encountering someone experiencing homelessness can challenge an individual's beliefs about society, success, and personal responsibility. To resolve this cognitive discomfort, some may look away, avoiding the confrontation of conflicting thoughts. This process of cognitive dissonance can lead to a desire to align one's behavior with pre-existing beliefs, even if that involves ignoring the current situation.

Overwhelm: The sheer scale of homelessness can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of powerlessness and despair. Looking away may serve as a coping mechanism to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the issue. This response is not just emotional but also practical, as it can be difficult to process the broader implications of homelessness.

The Ethical Dilemma: Choosing to Look or Not

The question of whether to engage with someone experiencing homelessness is a complex ethical dilemma. On one hand, avoiding eye contact may be an instinctive response driven by psychological and social factors. On the other hand, choosing to look and engage can be a powerful act of empathy and compassion.

Ignoring Their Humanity: Some argue that looking away is an act of ignoring the humanity of those experiencing homelessness. This can be alleviated by acknowledging the individual's stories and struggles, rather than reducing them to a social problem. Recognizing their human dignity can enhance our ability to connect on a deeper level.

Dodging Christian Responsibility: From a Christian perspective, helping one's neighbor is a moral imperative. Looking away can be seen as a failure to fulfill this responsibility. Engaging with those experiencing homelessness can provide a sense of fulfillment and community.

Fear and Safety: On a practical level, fear can be a valid concern. However, this fear can be managed through community support, education, and policy changes aimed at ensuring the safety of both the individual and those around them.

Subjective Guilt: Some individuals may feel guilty for looking away, knowing that they could contribute positively. Choosing to engage can be a way to alleviate this guilt, leading to a more positive and fulfilling personal experience.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Understanding and addressing the reasons behind looking away is essential for fostering empathy and compassion. By acknowledging the psychological, social, and ethical dimensions of this behavior, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive community. Each time we choose to look and engage, we make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness and our own personal growth as individuals.

Let us reflect on our own attitudes and behaviors. Are there any aspects of our looking away that we need to reconsider? By doing so, we can become better agents of change in our communities.