Faceless, nameless, invisible: a visual content analysis of photographs in U.S. media coverage about homelessness

Abstract

Media coverage plays an important role in shaping public opinion and approaching solutions to homelessness in the United States and beyond. Scant prior research has shown that stories often highlight individual rather than structural causes and solutions to the issue, while also perpetuating anti-homelessness stigma and stereotypes. However, few studies have looked specifically at the role of photography in media stories about homelessness. In this study, we used content analysis methodology to assess features of 226 photographs accompanying stories about homelessness from U.S. news media outlets in 2019. Our analysis found that presumably homeless people were frequently photographed without eye contact and were not identified by name in captions, and that photographs often featured homelessness paraphernalia (e.g. tents, shopping carts) but rarely depicted affordable housing. These findings affirmed the dehumanizing nature of news photographs about homelessness, and underscore the importance of partnering with the media to raise awareness of stigma and ultimately bring about policy change.

Keywords:

• Content analysis
• homeless
• photography
• stigma

Acknowledgments

Preliminary results from this study were presented in an oral presentation at the Society for Social Work and Research annual conference in January 2021. The authors thank the co-presenters and presentation attendees for their feedback and interest.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth A. Bowen

Elizabeth A. Bowen, PhD is an Associate Professor in the University at Buffalo School of Social Work in Buffalo, NY, United States. Her work addresses the intersections of homelessness, health, and recovery.

Nicole Capozziello

Nicole Capozziello, MSW, is a PhD candidate in the University at Buffalo School of Social Work in Buffalo, NY, United States. As a scholar, writer, and academic, her interests include different forms of media and social justice issues, including homelessness and incarceration.