The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man

A field-based sociological study of homeless migratory men that draws on participant observation and interviews to describe their daily strategies, itinerant labor patterns, and informal economies. It charts the social order of transient communities—norms, mutual aid, leadership, and sources of conflict—and examines interactions with employers, charities, and municipal agencies. The analysis links environmental and economic pressures to patterns of mobility and marginality and outlines practical considerations for social services and urban policy responses.