Need and the Homeless

The history of the word "need" is interesting. It comes from the Old and Middle English words for "distress" and "necessity" (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000). The most accurate definition of "need" found in the dictionary is "necessary" (2000). For example, plants need water to grow. People need food to live. In current language, however, many people use "need" in the place of "want." They say they "need" a new pair of jeans, for instance, when in reality they mean they "want" (desire) a new pair of jeans (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000). The term "need" then seems to have two different meanings these days, one for true need and one for a desire. Two examples of these two types of definition can be seen in looking at those who are homeless vs. those who are Hummer owners. The rest of this paper will look at the term "need" in relation to the Homeless and Hummer owners.

The needs of the homeless are the needs of people with no accommodation of their own which they pay rent for or own. The only accommodation available to the homeless is shelters which offer a bed for

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Category: Economics - N