Overcrowding occurs when there is a crowd of people in a limited space.
Before entering fully into the meaning of the term overcrowding , we are going to proceed to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it derives from Latin. Exactly it is the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The noun fascis , which can be translated as “bunch” or “bundle.”
-The suffix -ment , which is used to indicate “result”.
What is overcrowding
Overcrowding is the act and result of crowding : hoarding, storing or piling up without any type of order . The concept is usually used with reference to the agglomeration of people in a small space or whose surface area is not sufficient to house all individuals safely and comfortably.
For example: “The family lived in overcrowded conditions in a precarious hut next to the train tracks,” “Overcrowding in prisons is a problem that the government must solve urgently,” “In the refugee camp we suffer from overcrowding.” ” .
Agglomeration, accumulation, accumulation or stacking are some of the synonyms of the word we are now dealing with.
Suppose a couple lives with their eight children in a one-bedroom house. Due to space issues, no member of the family can have privacy or enjoy comforts. This group of ten people, therefore, suffers from overcrowding.
Overcrowding is a common problem in many prisons.
Consequence of a bad economic situation
It is common for overcrowding to be a consequence of a bad economic situation . When a group of individuals does not have the material resources to access a larger home , even if this move is necessary, they end up living in overcrowding.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of what is known as the overcrowding index . This establishes the relationship between the number of people who live in a home and the number of bedrooms that exist in that house. Based on this aforementioned index, it is established that there is no overcrowding if it is less than or equal to 2, while there is overcrowding if it exceeds that number 2.
Overcrowding in Brazil
One of the best-known places where clear overcrowding of people occurs is in Brazil . Specifically, we are referring to the area of favelas that exist throughout the country of Rio de Janeiro and where more than 50 million Brazilians live in truly deplorable conditions.
And not only do a significant number of people have to share improvised houses or unoccupied buildings, but they do not have minimal hygienic infrastructure or basic supplies.
The situation in places of detention
In many countries, overcrowding is a common problem in prisons and other detention centers (police stations, juvenile institutions, etc.).
The buildings are not prepared to house so many inmates, a situation that leads to overcrowding and a deterioration in the living conditions of people deprived of their liberty . Overcrowding not only violates the dignity of human beings but, in this case, can also make future social reintegration difficult.