I really want an answer to this from people who are not reddit-brained libs. I have seen some good points elsewhere about this contributing to a cycle of abuse and control, causing parents to withdraw their kids from school to beg instead, etc., but if someone is desperate enough to humiliate themselves by begging on the street, shouldn’t we give to them? Or should I feel bad that I did give to them?
It is absolutely a real thing in some third world/global south countries, not sure about the USA or Europe though.
I know in South Africa the “unofficial” car guards at shopping malls and public parking, as well as quite a few beggars, are organised. They have to pay someone for the 'right" to operate in a certain area.