Begging (also known in North America as panhandling) is the practice of imploring others to grant a favor, often a gift of money, with little or no expectation of reciprocation. A person doing such is called a beggar or panhandler. Beggars may operate in public space such as transport routes, urban parks, and markets. Besides money, they may also ask for food, drink, cigarettes or other small items.
Internet begging is the modern practice of asking people to give money to others via the Internet, rather than in person. Internet begging may encompass requests for help meeting basic needs such as medical care and shelter, as well as requests for people to pay for , school trips, and other things that the beggar wants but cannot ostensibly afford.
Beggars differ from religious in that some mendicants do not ask for money. Their subsistence is reciprocated by providing society with various forms of Church service, moral education, and preservation of culture.
History
Beggars have existed in human society since the dawn of recorded history. Street begging has happened in most societies around the world, though its prevalence and exact form vary.
Greece
Ancient Greeks distinguished between the
pénēs (Greek: πένης, "active poor") and the
ptōchós (Greek: πτωχός, "passive poor"). The
pénēs was somebody with a job, only not enough to make a living, while the
ptōchós depended on others entirely. The
working poor were accorded a higher social status.
The
New Testament contains several references to
Jesus' status as the savior of the
ptochos, usually translated as "the poor", considered the most wretched portion of society. In the rich man and Lazarus parable, Lazarus is called 'ptochos' and presented as living in extreme poverty.
Agyrtae (ἀγύρται) were wandering beggars or alms collectors in ancient Greece, often linked to religious practices and fortune-telling. They were generally seen as disreputable figures, sometimes offering to perform harmful acts for payment or to obtain forgiveness from the gods whom they served for any sins. Their presence extended to Italy with the spread of the cult of Isis, Cybele and other such deities, but Roman law tightly regulated their activities,
[ A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), Agyrtae] Romans called them
aeruscatores.
[ Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Aeruscatores]
Great Britain
A Caveat or Warning for Common Cursitors, vulgarly called vagabonds, was first published in 1566 by
Thomas Harman. From early modern England, another example is Robert Greene in his
coney-catching pamphlets, the titles of which included "The Defence of Conny-catching," in which he argued there were worse crimes to be found among "reputable" people.
The Beggar's Opera is a ballad opera in three acts written in 1728 by John Gay.
The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew was first published in 1745. There are similar writers for many European countries in the early modern period.
According to Jackson J. Spielvogel, "Poverty was a highly visible problem in the eighteenth century, both in cities and in the countryside... Beggars in Bologna were estimated at 25 percent of the population; in Mainz, figures indicate that 30 percent of the people were beggars or prostitutes... In France and Britain by the end of the century, an estimated 10 percent of the people depended on charity or begging for their food."[Jackson J. Spielvogel (2008). " Western Civilization: Since 1500". Cengage Learning. p.566. ]
The British , dating from the Renaissance, placed various restrictions on begging. At various times, begging was restricted to the disability. This system developed into the workhouse, a state-operated institution where those unable to obtain other employment were forced to work in often grim conditions in exchange for a small amount of food. The welfare state of the 20th century greatly reduced the number of beggars by directly providing for the necessities of the poor from state funds.
India
Begging is an age-old social phenomenon in
India. In the medieval and earlier times begging was considered to be an acceptable occupation which was embraced within the traditional
social structure.
This system of begging and almsgiving to mendicants and the poor is still widely practiced in India, with over 500,000 beggars in 2015.
In contemporary India, beggars are often stigmatized as undeserving. People often believe that beggars are not destitute and instead call them professional beggars.
China
Ming dynasty
After the establishment of the
Ming dynasty, many farmers and unemployed laborers in
Beijing were forced to beg to survive.
Begging was especially difficult during Ming times due to high taxes that limited the disposable income of most individuals.
Beijing's harsh winters were a difficult challenge for beggars. To avoid freezing to death, some beggars paid porters one copper coin to sleep in their warehouse for the night. Others turned to burying themselves in manure and eating
arsenic to avoid the pain of the cold. Thousands of beggars died of poison and exposure to the elements every year.
Begging was some people's primary occupation. A Qing dynasty source states that "professional beggars" were not considered to be Extreme poverty, and as such were not allowed to receive government relief, such as food rations, clothing, and shelter.
Some individuals capitalized on beggars and became "Beggar Chiefs". Beggar chiefs provided security in the form of food for beggars and in return received a portion of beggars' daily earnings as tribute. Beggar chiefs would often lend their surplus income back to beggars and charge interest, furthering their subjects' dependence on them to the point of near slavery. Although beggar chiefs could acquire significant wealth, they were still looked upon as low-class citizens. The title of beggar chief was often passed down family lines and could stick with an individual through occupational changes.
Religious begging
Many religions have prescribed begging as the only acceptable means of support for certain classes of adherents, including
Hinduism,
Sufism,
Buddhism,
Christianity; in this context, panhandling typically provides a way for certain adherents to focus exclusively on spiritual development without the possibility of becoming caught up in worldly affairs.
Religious ideals of bhiksha in Hinduism, charity in Christianity besides others promote almsgiving.
Tzedakah plays a central role in Judaism. The Jewish practice of maaser kesafim requires a contribution of 10% of one's income as a monetary tithe, mostly to be given to the poor.
In Buddhism, and traditionally live by begging for alms, as done by the historical Gautama Buddha himself. This is, among other reasons, so that Laity can gain religious merit by giving food, medicines, and other essential items to the monks. The monks seldom need to plead for food; in villages and towns throughout modern Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and other Buddhist countries, householders can often be found at dawn every morning streaming down the road to the local temple to give food to the monks. In East Asia, monks and nuns were expected to farm or work for returns to feed themselves.
The biblical figure Jesus is said to have lived a simple life. He is said to have encouraged his disciples "to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics."
Ming China was founded by former beggar Hongwu Emperor Orphaned in childhood due to famine, Hongwu Emperor, turned to the Huangjue temple for help. When the temple ran out of resources to support its occupants he became a mendicant monk traveling China begging for food.
Legal restrictions
Begging has been restricted or prohibited at various times and for various reasons, typically revolving around a desire to preserve public order or to induce people to
Manual labour rather than to beg. Various European
prohibited or regulated begging from the
Renaissance to modern times, with varying levels of effectiveness and enforcement. Similar laws were adopted by many developing countries.
"Aggressive panhandling" has been specifically prohibited by law in various jurisdictions in the United States and Canada, typically defined as persistent or intimidating begging.
Afghanistan
Begging is banned in
Afghanistan,
which mostly exists in
Kabul,
Herat and
Mazar-i-Sharif.
Australia
Each state and territory in
Australia has specific laws regarding begging and panhandling. Begging for
alms is illegal in Victoria,
South Australia, Northern Territory, and
Queensland.
Austria
There is no nationwide ban but it is illegal in several federal states.
[
]
Belarus
It is legal to beg in Belarus.
Belgium
Begging is legal in Belgium, but municipalities can restrict it.
Brazil
It is legal to beg in Brazil, and receive medical care provided by law in SUS (Unique Health System)
Bulgaria
Systematic begging is illegal in Bulgaria by article 329 of the penal code.
Canada
The province of Ontario introduced its Safe Streets Act in 1999 to restrict specific kinds of begging, particularly certain narrowly defined cases of "aggressive" or abusive begging.
One response to the anti-panhandling laws which were passed was the creation of the Ottawa Panhandlers Union which fights for the political rights of panhandlers. The union is a shop of the Industrial Workers of the World.
British Columbia enacted its own Safe Streets Act in 2004 which resembles the Ontario law. There are also critics in that province who oppose such laws.
Chile
Begging in Chile has been decriminalized since 1998.
China
Begging in China is illegal if:
-
Coercing, decoying or utilizing others to beg;
-
Forcing others to beg, repeatedly tangling or using other means of nuisance.
Those cases are violations of the Article 41 of the Public Security Administration Punishment Law of the People's Republic of China. For the first case, offenders would receive a detention between 10 days and 15 days, with an additional fine under Renminbi 1,000; for the second case, it is punishable by a 5-day detention or warning.
According to Article 262(2) or the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, organizing disabled or children under 14 to beg is illegal and will be punished by up to 7 years in prison, and fined.
Denmark
Historically beggars were controlled by the Stodderkonge or 'beggar king' for a town or district. Today, begging in Denmark is illegal under section 197 of the penal code, which reads:
England and Wales
Begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act 1824. However, it does not carry a jail sentence and is not enforced in many cities,
Finland
Begging has been legal in Finland since 1987 when the poor law was invalidated. In 2003, the Public Order Act replaced local government rules and decriminalized begging.
France
A law against begging ended in 1994; however, begging with aggressive animals or children is still outlawed.[
]
Greece
Under article 407 of the Greek Penal Code, begging was punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a 3000 euro fine. However, this law was repealed in October 2018, after protests from street musicians in the city of Thessaloniki.
Hungary
Hungary has a nationwide ban. This may include stricter related laws in cities such as Budapest, which also prohibits picking things from rubbish bins.[
]
India
Begging is criminalized in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi as per the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, BPBA (1959).
Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan and the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) have criticized this Act and advocated for its repeal.
In 2018, the Delhi High Court declared 25 provisions of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act (1959) as unconstitutional, following petitions filed by Harsh Mander and Karnika Sawhney.
Ireland
"Passive" begging is legal in Ireland, but begging "in an aggressive, intimidating or threatening manner" is illegal, punishable by a fine. Gardaí (police) can also direct people begging in certain areas to move on, e.g. at an ATM, night safe, vending machine or shop entrance.
It is also illegal to "organise or direct someone else to beg;" under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011, punishable by a €200,000 fine or up to 5 years in prison; this law was adopted in response to organised begging by Romani people gangs.
Prior to the 2011, begging was outlawed by the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, adopted during the Great Famine, until a 2007 High Court ruling said that it was too vague and incompatible with the Constitution of Ireland's protection of freedom of speech.
Italy
Begging with children or animals is forbidden, but the law is not enforced.[
]
Japan
appear in public when begging for alms.
South Korea
Most cases of begging are illegal, especially if it annoys someone, bothers traffic, or is for a personal purpose.
Latvia
Begging was made illegal in the historic city center of Riga in 2012. Begging in Riga outside the historic city center requires that the beggar carries ID.
Lithuania
It is illegal to beg in the capital Vilnius. It is also illegal to give money to a beggar. Both can receive a fine of up to 2,000 litas (€770).
Luxembourg
Begging in Luxembourg is legal, except when it is indulged in as a group or the beggar is a part of an organised effort. According to Chachipe, a Romani people rights advocacy NGO, 1639 begging cases were reported by Luxembourgish law enforcement authorities. Roma beggars were arrested, handcuffed, taken to police stations and held for hours and had their money confiscated.
Nepal
Although the Begging (Prohibition) Act was introduced in 1962,
Norway
Begging is banned in some counties and there were plans for a nationwide ban in 2015; however, this proposal was dropped after the Centre Party withdrew their support.[
]
Philippines
Begging is prohibited in the Philippines under the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 although this is not strictly enforced.
Poland
In Poland, it is illegal to beg under the Code of petty offences, if they are able to hold a job or beg in public in a pressing or fraudulently (Article 58).[ Act Of 20 May 1971 The Code Of Offences] The beggar is due to a fine of €365.
Portugal
In Portugal, panhandlers normally beg in front of Catholic churches, at traffic lights or on special places in Lisbon or Porto downtowns. Begging is legal in Portugal. Many social and religious institutions support homeless people and panhandlers and the Portuguese Social Security normally gives them a survival monetary subsidy.
Qatar
Under the article 278 of the Qatari penal code, the maximum sentence for begging is one year. This sentence was increased from a maximum of three months before July 2006.
Romania
Law 61 of 1991
US State Department Human Rights reports note a pattern of Romani people children registered for "vagrancy and begging".
United States
In parts of San Francisco, California, aggressive panhandling is prohibited.[ Debate Continues Over Proposed Sit-Lie Ordinance , KTVU, 10 March 2010]
In May 2010, police in the city of Boston started cracking down on panhandling in the streets in downtown, and were conducting an educational outreach to residents advising them not to give to panhandlers. The Boston police distinguished active solicitation, or aggressive panhandling, versus passive panhandling of which an example is opening doors at a store with a cup in hand but saying nothing.[Schuler, Melina, "Cops Planning to Combat Panhandling", The Boston Courant, May 14–20 issue, 2010. "Aggressive solicitation is against the law and is defined as an action that is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear harm or to intimidate him or her into compliance, Ivens said. Passive panhandling, like in front of a convenience store, is constitutionally allowed, however, it is a violation of a Boston ordinance to do it within 10 feet 3 m of an ATM, bank, or check cashing business during hours of operation, Boston Ivens said."]
U. S. Courts have repeatedly ruled that begging is protected by the First Amendment's free speech provisions. On August 14, 2013, the U. S. Court of Appeals struck down a Grand Rapids, Michigan, anti-begging law on free speech grounds.[John Agar, "Michigan's begging law violates First Amendment: federal appeals court" mlive.com] An Arcata, California, law banning panhandling within twenty feet of stores was struck down on similar grounds in 2012.
In Baltimore, Maryland, several non-profits have been working with the "squeegee kids" to get them off the streets instead of the police having to enforce the law and have the teens arrested.
Use of funds
A 2002 study of 54 panhandlers in Toronto reported that of a median monthly income of $638 (CAD) – those interviewed spent a median of $200 on food and $192 on alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.
In North America, panhandling money is widely reported to support substance abuse and other addictions. For example, outreach workers in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, surveyed that city's panhandling community and determined that approximately three-quarters use some of the donated money to buy tobacco products, while two-thirds buy solvents or alcohol.
Vouchers
Because of concerns that people begging on the street may use the money to support alcohol or drug abuse, some advise those wishing to give to beggars to give gift cards or vouchers for food or services, and not cash.
In fine art
There are many depictions of beggars in fine art.[ Disability in Art History] c. 1775]]
caricature, the plentiful
money bags handed to King George III are contrasted with the beggar whose legs and arms were amputated, in the left corner]]
'', George Orleans Delamotte, 1818]]
, "The Old Beggar", Bordeaux, France, 1916]]
Notable beggars
-
Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, accepted alms from people to survive
-
Bampfylde Moore Carew, the self-styled "King of the Beggars"
-
Qiao Feng, a fictional character in Jin Yong's wuxia Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
-
Hong Qigong, a fictional character in Jin Yong's wuxia Legend of the Condor Heroes
-
So Chan, a Chinese folk hero of Drunken Fist
-
Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher
-
Dobri Dobrev, a Bulgarian ascetic and philanthropist
-
Gallicina, the mendicant Darotti is accused of murdering in Susan Palwick's novel, The Necessary Beggar (2005)
-
Nicholas Jennings, characterized as a rogue, in Thomas Harman's A Caveat for Common Cursitors
-
Jesus, the founder of Christianity, despised materialism and encouraged an Asceticism life
-
Lazarus, a Biblical character described in the Gospel of Luke, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (also called the Dives and Lazarus or Lazarus and Dives)
-
"The Man with the Twisted Lip", the titular character of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's eponymous Sherlock Holmes short story
-
Gavroche Thenardier, a fictional character in Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables
-
Wu Xun, was a Chinese wandering beggar and educational reformer
-
Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming Dynasty
See also
Further reading
-
Malanga, Steven, The Professional Panhandling Plague , City Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, Summer 2008, The Manhattan Institute, New York, NY.
-
A detailed report by a city in Western Massachusetts, US.
-
Sandage, Scott A., Born Losers: A History of Failure in America, Harvard University Press, 2005
External links
-
Emily Rooney, "Panhandling—Public Nuisance or Basic Right?", The Emily Rooney Show, WGBH-FM Radio, Boston, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Guests: Vincent Flanagan, Executive Director of Homeless Empowerment Project Spare Change News; Robert Haas, Cambridge Police Commissioner; Denise Jillson, President of the Harvard Square Business Association
-
Selected legal cases on panhandling in the United States, University of Albany Center for Problem Oriented Policing.
