Link vs. Other Homeless People

Link vs. Other Homeless People

Link is the protagonist in the book Stone Cold. He is a 16 year old boy who lives in Bradford, England.

Link has both similarities and differences with 'real' homeless people.

His mom started dating a drunk and abusive jerk that locked Link out of his house. 
This is happens to 'real' homeless people, they get locked out of their houses because of family troubles. Often homeless people want to move to large cities, like London, so that they can remain anonymous, because in their small town/community everyone knows them and that can make homeless people feel ashamed of themselves.

Link moves to London shortly after he becomes homeless. However unlike most homeless people, Link doesn't take drugs,  There is one time when Ginger gave him a cigarette. He doesn't consume alcohol, he wrote a sign saying "Give money, not alcoholic" because Ginger said "no one gives money to winos". 

The Guardians says not to give money to homeless people because they can by drugs or alcohol with it. At least 70-80% of people begging on the London's streets are taking class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin. 

Most people are homeless because they don't have enough money, or they have family problems, Link is homeless because unlike many homeless people, Link is given a bit of money. 

To summarize, Link shares many of the characteristics of real homeless people, but fact that he isn't alcohol or addicted to drugs makes him atypical. 

Hook
Introduction
Thesis
Examples
Explanation
Conclusion