| The experience I had with child beggars were in Beijing. We were surrounded by a big group of children (all between 5-8 yrs old), and they were clutching on to my clothes and refuse to let go unless I give them some money. For a tourist like us, it was a terrifying experience. Luckily for us, the locals helped us and shooed them away. That impression stayed in my mind, and I am really wary of agressive beggars.
In my own country (Malaysia), we do have child beggars as well. In fact many of them are "imported" from neighbouring countries. These imported child beggars are controlled by syndications to beg. Some have been abducted to come here. The syndicates will cut off their limbs (to win more sympathy & to prevent them from escaping), and some are drugged to place in strategic places to beg. I am one for not giving money to child beggars. If we were to give them money,we are actually perpectuating the crime, and more innocent children may by abducted or used as beggars. Hopefully, when the syndicates find that it is not a lucrative trade anymore, they will stop. Some beggars seem to view taking money from people as their right (eg. the agressive beggars), I think by giving them money will create more social problems. |
No Baggars Premitted on Metro?