The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man

"The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man" by Nels Anderson is a deep look into the world of homeless men living in cities like Chicago during the early 1900s. The study looks at the special groups and ways of life these men made to deal with their situation. It tries to understand the problems they faced and the complicated social rules they developed, especially in what was known as "Hobohemia." The book starts by explaining why this study of homelessness in cities is important. It talks about how the "hobo" became a familiar type as men moved around and struggled in quickly growing industrial cities. The project wants to show the world these homeless men lived in and how their personal decisions and society's impact mixed together to create their lives; it shows a lively but difficult community, pointing out how social actions affect people's lives and the shared identity of the "hobo" group.