Alcoholism

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Introduction

Alcoholism has been one of the principal problems in the recent times. As much as there are differences as to the level in which different countries, states, communities and even families are affected, the problem remains etched in many parts of the world. Of course, there are various reasons for the increased cases of alcoholism depending on the circumstances of any case. In some cases, it is caused by poverty as individuals imbue alcohol in an effort to forget their tough lives or the problems that they are going through. Peer pressure has also been blamed, as individuals want to feel that they belong in certain groups of people. However, the key thing that has led to the proliferation of alcoholism is its ease of availability. Numerous drinking places have opened up thereby serving as incentives for drinking. Alcoholism comes with numerous effects. Unfortunately, most studies and researches have concentrated on the physical, emotional, psychological and behavioral and psychosocial effects of alcoholism. The effects of alcoholism are usually generalized as far as the financial aspect is concerned. Few people have ever looked at alcoholism as a direct cause of homelessness. It is understandable that the establishment of a causative link between alcoholism and homelessness is a herculean task for many people. However, this is not difficult to establish at least going by the life Jackson Jackson in the story, “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”, by Sherman Alexie. This paper aims at looking into ways in which alcoholism may have led to homelessness in the case of Jackson Jackson.

Thesis statement: Alcoholism can make someone homeless

Jackson is an Indian American who lives in the streets with two other friends. While it is not clear whether Jackson was born was born in the streets, it is obvious that he is in the streets as a result of his irresponsibility caused by alcoholism.

One of the ways in which alcoholism can cause homelessness is by removing the element of shame from an individual. Many people would agree that homelessness comes with pity and shame. Unfortunately, Jackson is so proud of his situation that he has the guts to term himself “an effective homeless man”. He seems extremely proud of being good at being homeless and knowing where he can get the best food at no cost. He does not see any problem with always begging his friends in convenience stores and restaurants to allow him to use their bathrooms. He is obviously proud of being sufficiently trustworthy to use other people’s clean bathrooms, but he does not have the thought of getting his own bathroom (Alexie, 2).

In addition, alcohol seems to blur an individual’s capacity to have his or her priorities right. In the case of Jackson, there are various instances when he makes inappropriate decisions pertaining to finances without looking at his most pressing needs. As the story starts, Jackson and his two friends had panned the handle down and earned five dollars. As much as all of them are homeless, they deem then money as enough for a bottle of liquor. They do not look at the situation that they are in and, at least, make the effort to come out of it. On their way to the club, Jackson spots a powwow regalia that he suspects to have been his granny’s stolen some decades ago. Of course, it is difficult to understand why he would be concerned about a pow.............