Self-presentation work of people experiencing homelessness. Mixed social situations background

The article is a reflection on the participatory research conducted by me among the homeless living in the streets of a large city outside the system of institutional aid (2005–2008) and in the environment of homeless people staying in the hostel created within the framework of one of the associations (from 2007 to 2013). The location of these studies within the interpretative orientation ensures an opportunity to get to know the perspective of the Respondents (in this particular case – the homeless). Work on self-presentation is based on the assumption of symbolic interactionism, according to which the basis of interaction is defining the situation, proceeding through interpretation, so reading the meaning of the partner's action and definition, informing the partner about the intentions of action. Therefore, work on self-presentation is an attempt to read the meaning of a partner's activity, based on a specific way of imagining a partner, and thus – the way of treating him and the mechanisms accompanying work on self-presentation.