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‘“Money for nothing†?: Understanding Giving to Beggars’

Author

Listed:
  • Ian McIntosh
  • Angus Erskine

Abstract

This article explores the nature of the begging encounter. It does this through an investigation of people's attitudes towards, and experiences of, being approached by people begging. The data are derived from interviews with people who work in the centre of Edinburgh and are regularly involved in begging encounters. The begging encounter is often a problematic one and we argue that this is, in part, because of the ambiguous nature of the interaction. The nature of the giving involved is frequently unclear and quite unlike other monetary interactions that we are normally involved in. Moral considerations regarding how ‘real’ or ‘genuine’ beggars are became crucial when deciding to give or not. Ambivalence and contradiction were common characteristics of understandings of, and attitudes towards, those who beg.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian McIntosh & Angus Erskine, 2000. "‘“Money for nothing†?: Understanding Giving to Beggars’," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 5(1), pages 107-115, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:5:y:2000:i:1:p:107-115
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.449
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