debate on child beggar
Answers
Answer:
Explanation;
86% of people begging reported currently using drugs (probably
an underestimate, the researchers suggest)
65% were receiving benefits
51% were in some kind of accommodation
68% had been begging for over a year
82% of the public would rather give money to a charity than a
beggar.
This suggests that homelessness agencies (and this is no
surprise at all to us at Thames Reach Bondway) are working with a
group of regular beggars with serious substance misuse problems
many (and probably most) of whom are in accommodation, who are
using begging to supplement their income, with the public feeling
distinctly uneasy and wanting an alternative way of helping
them.
This is the face of begging in 2004 and homelessness agencies
should not flinch from facing this reality.”
Jeremy Swain
Chief Executive
Thames Reach Bondway
“By not giving money to beggars, they are encouraged to find
employment and seek help from the various schemes, organisations
and charities that are there to help people in such
conditions.
They can place their name on the housing register and are
eligible for social security benefits until they find suitable
employment. By simply giving them money when they beg, we
encourage them to spend it on self-harm, such as drugs and
alcohol.
I agree it is a stereotype that all beggars spend their money on
such things, however it is well known that a significantly high
percentage of beggars spend their money on addictions that on their
own can’t overcome. We as the general public need to encourage
them to seek help, not feed their habits.”
Arbinder Shinhmar
Administrator
Home-Start Ealing
“The issue of begging is now taking a toll in our society. To
encourage people or not depends largely on the level of development
in each country.
Begging in a developed country can be outlawed and encouraging
people to do such a thing can be termed as hazardous because the
welfare of the people are well taken care of by the government.
In a developing country, people encouraging people to give
beggars money can be viewed from a different angle – maybe to
assist the beggars to get on their own feet or to keep their body
and soul together until government find a lasting solution to their
problem.
In an under-developing country, there is no need to discourage
people to give money to the beggars because those beggars are ready
to do something of their own, but are incapacitated to do so either
because of the situation in the country or the government are not
supportive enough.