Do you give to beggars?

catkins

Yes I do. I buy the Big Issue - sometimes more than 1 copy of the same issue from different sellers.

I used to work in London (over 10 years ago) and gave money or drinks to some of the homeless who slept along The Strand. I was up there last weekend and sad to see that there are still lots of sleepers along The Strand. I don't understand how in 2012 there are still people with no where to live even with tons of empty houses, flats and offices. It's disgusting.

I have spoken to quite a lot of homeless and the majority are not addicts nor pretending to be homeless. The reasons they end up on the streets are various but most of them could happen to any of us - a relationship breaks down, loss of employment, ill health and unable to keep up mortgage or rent and, the one I find the most upsetting, youngsters who are thrown out of their homes when mum or dad meet a new partner and the new partner does not want them there. The amount of young males and females is very sad and I cannot imagine how awful it must be for them and how scared they must be try to sleep on the street

catkins

Ada_Doom wrote: »

I just don't understand the mindset that feels pity for animals not humans, like people who only give to animal charities but not charities for people.

I agree with Nicki, lots of us are only a few paychecks, or a major crisis away from being homeless.

I try to give to both charities for animals and people but on the whole I give to more animal charities and if I am short of cash and can only give to one charity it would be an animal one. It's not that I don't feel pity for people but feel that the majority of people who give the charities give to human ones. Also animals are totally innocent and trusting of humans who then illtreat them.

make_me_wise

Person_one wrote: »

Did you actually see that documentary? Can you find any info about it online? Because that urban myth has been around for a long time.

Why would I lie about it? Yes I did see it.

inneed

alex21 wrote: »

Sorry. I was not saying that at all. I was just pointing out that just because you were on JSA did not mean you had to have a home. Many homeless will not qualify for benefits for other reasons.

Thanks for clearing that up Alex. I think most of us don't know just what the position is if you are homeless.

Carl31

Thing is, i bet plenty of people who wont give to homeless, will happily go and claim for every benefit they can, whats the problem with this? nothing, apart from the fact in both cases its people asking for needed help

And if homeless people do spend there money gained on drink or drugs (this imcludes cigarettes), i bet theres plenty of people that do the same with their benefits

and i bet loads using this site do exactly that, even those posting on this very thread

Nicki

inneed wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up Alex. I think most of us don't know just what the position is if you are homeless.

I asked about how this worked at the homeless shelter last week as it happens. If you begin claiming benefits when you have an address, you can continue to receive them even after you are homeless. But you cannot start a new claim for benefits unless you have an address of some kind, even if that address is just a short term hostel. So if you are unlucky enough to find yourself on the streets suddenly with no benefits already in place, then you are completely stuffed.

The thing about homeless older children is also true. There is a real problem with kids reaching the age of 16 or 18 in homes which are already on the breadline, particularly if there is a step parent there and already a difficult relationship, or some other issue such as special educational needs in play. Or kids leaving the care system.

I am saddened though that some would refuse to give a small amount of money to someone who is literally starving and with nowhere safe to sleep at night, just in case it might be a con. Surely no one believes that ALL beggars are rich people pretending to be poor to scam the naive, so to deny everyone on the basis of a small minority, even if that small majority actually exist, is harsh.

Ada_Doom

So it is the "innocence" of animals that tugs on the heartstrings? Unlike nasty, complicated, imperfect humans? What about children, where do they figure on the scale?

Still don't understand it, but then I am quite unsentimental about animals.

diamond_mum

No I would be willing to give to charity or buy the big issue.

Ada_Doom

make me wise, I think personone is challenging you because the old chestnut of beggars being fraudsters who live in nice houses and drive posh cars in one that is trotted out alot in discussions like this, and is just massively unhelpful and just rubbish. Just think about it...how much money would it really be possible to make? I think people find it easier to think that the people who beg for money and sleep out on the streets, even on freezing nights like tonight, are doing it out of choice, or because of some massive failure or character defect. Perhaps because they are not as "innocent" as their dog?Tis easier to think that than realize could happen to any of use, and that as a society we let people fall though the cracks.

make_me_wise

I am not lying about it. If you chose not to believe me that is up to you.