Living on the city margins : homelessness, violence and stratagems of survival in an Australian metropolis

Abstract

Based on fieldwork in a Community Day Centre from January to August 1997, this study looks at the lives of twentieth century urban nomads in an Australian city. Focusing on homelessness and violence ; it characterizes the lifestyle ; behaviour patterns ; and, survival tactics and strategems of those studied. Draws on Bourdieu's concept of capital to explore the nomad economy in the city, and Weber's conceptualisation of ideal types to study the structure of the Community Day Centre. Analyses the Centre's dilemma of its philosophy of empowering its clients, while at the same time maintaining control.