Psychosocial Causes of Beggary: Modes and Effects of Beggary

Abstract

The present research aimed to explore the psychosocial reasons of beggary in relation to examine modes of beggars’ behaviour, and effect of beggary, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The research design was Exploratory. Total sample size is 15 beggars including 7 men and 8 women. A self-constructed open ended questionnaire investigating about the psychosocial reasons, effects of beggary and modes of begging behavior was employed for data collection. The findings showed that unemployment, poverty, and lacks of professional skills were reported as major social causes. Further physical disability, old age and some serious and chronic diseases were reported as major biological causes of beggary. Psychological causes of beggary included lack of self-respect, feelings of worthless, and feelings of insecurity about their future. Beggars frequently reported to experience low self-esteem, guilt, shame, dissatisfaction, being insulted, sadness, feelings of loneliness, helplessness and inferiority. Majority of the participants reported begging in group from, showing their illness and handicapedness, as religious assists, selling cheap goods, as modes of begging. Peoples, positive attitude towards beggars mostly included sympathy, kindness, support and negative included hatred, disregard, and verbal abuses. The solutions suggested to end beggary are included governmental measures to eradicate poverty and taking care of unattended older parents who take beggary to support them.