Global downsizing from Coronavirus: no borders.
A new epidemic caused by the coronavirus has been spreading in China for several months now . Initially, it seemed to have affected only the Asian continent, so much so that the spread of news in Europe was of little concern to the rest of the world. But soon, the contagion's rapid spread began to play a major role in the lives of everyone, beyond geographical borders.
Given its rapidity, various governments have adopted specific measures, inviting the population to stay at home and pay attention to basic hygiene rules. This, from a sociological point of view, has triggered a real change in individual habits within the urban fabric. The Coronavirus has slowed down students' academic progress, the economic performance of each country due to the closure of many commercial establishments, and fueled the practice of Smart Working. Furthermore, it is possible to state that, given its ability to reduce the social ties From a physical standpoint, it has contributed to further accentuating each individual's relationship with technology (see the sharp increase in the use of social networks and video calls). But the changes don't just concern more modern habits.
An important social rediscovery is linked to household activities, such as housework or the most diverse culinary practices. This is happening because the Coronavirus seems to have brought the entire world to a standstill, allowing people to focus more on those small daily tasks that previously were off-limits due to lack of time. It has pushed people to adopt a more inclusive and egalitarian attitude, despite the numerous social differences that characterize our society.
Social stratification in cities: a reflection on the homeless
As early as 1968, American sociologist Herbert Gans distinguished five types of city dwellers: cosmopolitans, singles and childless couples, ethnic groups, marginalized people , and the trapped . Each of these categories presents a different way of seeing and experiencing the city. The difference lies in the way they approach the urban fabric and exploit its services and opportunities. Unfortunately, due to the global shutdown caused by the Coronavirus, each of these categories finds itself having to contain the emergency in different ways. However, it is natural to wonder what its effects are on the most vulnerable category in Gans's list: the marginalized.
For marginal This refers to someone who lives in the city with no alternative for survival other than constant social hardship. This refers to poor people forced to wander the streets of their city in search of adequate housing. For many, this search often fails, and it's easy to see them begging while walking around.
Therefore, homeless people can be included in this category, as he has provided an interesting sociological contribution to the topic. Nels Anderson, author of "The Tramp"(1923).
In this monograph, Anderson brings to life the sociology of the homeless man describing three types:
- L 'Hobo: the migrant who wanders around looking for work;
- the Tramp: a dreamer who wanders around the city without any concrete goal;
- the Bum: the tramp who vents his despair in alcohol.
Already in his work, the sociologist described the precarious living conditions of the homeless in the early twentieth century, introducing that feeling of social exclusion that has always characterized their lives.
With the help of sociological studies on marginalization and social stratification, is it possible to reflect on Anderson's figure of the homeless in the time of Coronavirus?
The importance of social services in the time of Coronavirus
Certainly, in light of the epidemic we are experiencing, it is possible to analyze the link between Covid-19 and contemporary poverty . While this emergency has unexpectedly overwhelmed society, including the upper-middle class, it has also further compromised the situation of those who have never had the right tools to survive. For the homeless, the risk of contagion is twofold, since it is impossible to protect oneself without a home and adequate anti-contagion tools.
Despite this, many of them were still reported for violating Article 650 of the Criminal Code and accused of failing to comply with the provisions of the government decrees enacted in recent weeks. Therefore, various volunteer associations across the country have taken action to address the situation. This action has involved the collaboration of the social services of various municipalities, which have committed to increasing assistance services. In addition to the funds the government has proposed allocating to each Region, several fundraisers have been launched to raise funds for the purchase of basic necessities: food, blankets, soap, and towels.
For example, in some areas of Southern Italy, public buildings equipped with bathrooms and showers have been made available for homeless people to use. However, these actions do not completely eliminate the dangers of the Coronavirus, but they are intended to be a useful contribution to addressing the emergency and providing support to the most vulnerable. Furthermore, some owners have made their accommodations available, constituting a further act of solidarity, in addition to that already carried out by the volunteers employed.
For this reason, this sociological reflection seeks to highlight how, although the Coronavirus is aggressively impacting our society, it can also act as a catalyst for change . Indeed, it has not only contributed to the redefinition of relationships with technology and social bonds, but has also made the network of services in each city even more active and functional and strengthened the sense of solidarity inherent in each individual.
The liquid society described by Bauman currently appears to have taken on new, likely more concrete, forms. And it is hoped that once the state of emergency has ended, this network will continue to function. Furthermore, it is certain that everyone is already learning from their experience, and it cannot be ruled out that it will lead to a general change in lifestyle. "We will emerge changed," many contemporary sociologists assert, but it is nevertheless desirable from a welfare perspective that all the gaps that have emerged in this rather complex scenario be filled. This is because the welfare sector, as stated by President Conte, represents the beating heart of solidarity, and because it is important to recognize the contribution that volunteers, the Third Sector, and local governments can make.
Chiara Grasso
