Definitional Paradox and Legal Heterogeneity: Towards a Comprehensive and Operational Definition of Begging

Abstract

This paper contributes to the quest for an operational definition of begging. Researchers and policy makers examining begging suffer from definitional shortcomings. Social scientists generally provide a minimalistic and paradoxical definition of begging. Begging is indeed, simultaneously considered as a productive activity and as a non-reciprocated gift. Among law and policy makers, there is no consensus on a definition of begging. Begging can be defined broadly or narrowly, it can be considered as acceptable or be criminalized. In order to illustrate the need for an operational definition, the legal definitions of begging enacted in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines are compared. Major theoretical definitions of begging are also reviewed. We then suggest an operational definition of begging in which we distinguish between begging policies, begging strategies and begging techniques.

Encountering begpackers

“…As with other literature (Adriaenssens & Hendrickx, 2011), we take a broad definition of begging as informal economic activity that involves asking a stranger for a donation, on the basis of being poor and in need of charitable donations. This begging might involve the pretence of selling small items or musical or nonmusical performing, in return for financial compensation that may have little to do with the value of the item (Brito, 2013;Simpson, 2011). Andriotis (2016) provides a useful typology of beggars, and of tourists' interaction with beggars.…”

Beggars–tourists' interactions: An unobtrusive typological approach

“…In a broader sense, begging involves the 'pretence' of performing musical or nonmusical performances which do not always qualify for a financial compensation, and the selling of small items, in return for money that may have little to do with the value of the item (Brito, 2013a;Simpson, 2011, p. 415). Like many other street-level informal activities, begging serves the same manifest function of working in general, i.e.…”

“…This coercion strategy has been described by Brito (2013b) as a forced attempt to persuade passersby to donate and relies on a psychological pressure that includes threats and intimidation. In the words of Brito (2013a), the beggar's aim is "to bring the passerby to a psychological breaking point beyond which (he or she) would rather give money to the beggar than continue to suffer the inconvenience created by the begging" (p. 236). The discomfort of tourists to this form of aggressive begging was visible through their gestures.…”

An Exploration of Begging Strategies of Beggars

“…The Second form is bridge helpers, which is similar to the forcing service beggars of Qiao, et al (2017) who provide services to the strangers without invitation. The third form is following a dog, which is similar to the irritating begging type of Brito (2013), in which a beggar follows a person for long distance to beg. The last form is public lavatory beggars in which a beggar occupies a place in a public lavatory and ask for money to free the space for another person.…”