‘People Don’t Live There, on the Streets—They Are Surviving’: Gender Specifics of Homelessness Coping Strategies in St. Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

Homelessness is a significant and increasing problem in modern Russia, which is admitted mostly by NGOs. In addition, in academic, media and state discourses, homelessness is traditionally viewed as a male phenomenon, and there is a lack of research focused on the gender aspects of homelessness in Russia. Therefore, the underrepresentation of homeless women’s experiences and their comparison to homeless men’s experiences, in academic and policy research in Russia, influence the diversity and quality of services provided to homeless people. Based on an analysis of 60 in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with homeless men and women in Saint Petersburg, this article compares men’s and women’s coping strategies in the situation of homelessness. Research shows that the homeless experience is gender-specific. When lacking resources, women use a special gendered form of capital—‘feminine’ capital—while men utilise more masculine coping strategies. The patriarchal traditions and values of Russian society also play a significant role in the paths of people experiencing homelessness.