Applying context theory : the narrative of homelessness and law
department or school: Law, Peter A. Allard School of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Peterson, Ryan
issued: 2023-03-27T22:58:48Z
issued: 2023
related degree: Master of Laws - LLM
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: This work presents a dynamic, comprehensive study of the intersectionality between homelessness and law through the application of the Context Theory of Law. Previous work on this topic points to a specific problem: the data available cannot be relied upon because the numbers are not static, the population of unhoused people is transient, and the ability to gather information on unhoused persons is exceedingly limited. Context Theory, as developed and applied in this work, provides a theoretical framework to engage with unhoused people. This work argues that the failings of the existing legal framework cannot be effectively addressed without first earning the trust of those who are homeless and endeavoring to hear the ‘homeless’ side of the homeless ‘problem’. This critique is particularly pointed regarding academia’s adoption of a narrative of homelessness and law as portrayed by legal scholars rather than homeless individuals. The existing scholarship addresses the points at which the law acknowledges the intersectionality between homelessness and the legal system but fails to consider the points at which those who eventually become homeless establish a relationship with the law. This disconnect prevents researchers and legislators from predicting and understanding the circumstances that contribute to homelessness. For these reasons, the Context approach is qualitative, integrating in-person interviews and field research with available data to present a more prescient analysis of issues than can be gleaned from statistic-dependent structures. By extending beyond the bounds of quantitative analysis, this work contributes context to a pervasive and persistent problem within the legal academy and broader society. Beyond the academic results, the narratives collected provide an opportunity for the legal community to empathize with the homeless population. Without the adoption of empathy, the research suggests the legal community will continue to stammer vapid soliloqu…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/84103
note: Applying Context Theory: The Narrative of Homelessness and Law by Ryan Peterson B.A., Iowa State University, 2013 J.D., University of Oregon, 2017 M.A., Iowa State University, 2020 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS in The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) March 2023 © Ryan Peterson, 2023 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for acceptance, the thesis entitled: Applying Context Theory: The Narrative of Homelessness and Law submitted by Ryan Peterson in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws in Law Examining Committee: Alexandra Flynn, Associate Professor, Law, UBC Supervisor Michelle LeBaron, Professor, Law, UBC Supervisory Committee Member iii Abstract This work presents a dynamic, comprehensive study of the intersectionality between homelessness and law through the application of the Context Theory of Law. Previous work on this topic points to a specific problem: the data available cannot be relied upon because the numbers are not static, the population of unhoused people is transient, and the ability to gather information on unhoused persons is exceedingly limited. Context Theory, as developed and applied in this work, provides a theoretical framework to engage with unhoused people. This work argues that the failings of the existing legal framework cannot be effectively addressed without first earning the trust of those who are homeless and endeavoring to hear the ‘homeless’ side of the homeless ‘problem’. This critique is particularly pointed regarding academia’s adoption of a narrative of homelessness and law as portrayed by legal scholars rather than homeless individuals. The existing scholarship addresses the points at which the law acknowledges the intersectionality between homelessness and the legal system but fails to con…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2023-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0428660
language: eng
degree discipline: Law
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
contributor: Flynn, Alexandra
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/84103