Street Begging Research Articles

Job advertisements and lived experiences of victims of job scams in Ibadan, Nigeria

PurposeAn increase in informal job advertisements has been attributed to high unemployment. However, less scholarly attention has been placed on the experiences of victims of advertised job scams.Design/methodology/approachThis explorative study investigates the lived experiences of victims of advertised job scams in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, adopting Durkheim’s Functionalism and Anomie Theory. Around 35 victims were purposively engaged in in-depth and telephone interviews.FindingsThe findings of the study indicated the link between functionalism and anomie, an increasing rate of advertised job scams and a high rate of unemployment and poverty as well as the desperation of victims in getting jobs. The value orientation of an individual is determined by the dynamics of the social institutions. The pattern of job scammers revealed extremists conditioned by the large number of youths seeking employment. The advertised scam jobs are usually unavailable. In addition, employers, through informal job advertisements, subject victims to extortions, exploitation, street begging, kidnapping and rituals as well as sexual harassment and rape. Owing to the high rate of unemployment, many genuine job offers are characterised by bribes, besides trivializing merit.Originality/valueThe government should design measures to tackle the rate of corruption and unemployment. This can be achieved by introducing entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programmes in the nation’s education system.

The street begging economy: investigating the economic strategies of street beggars in Ghana

PurposeThis study investigates the economic strategies street beggars (SBs) employ in Ghana to gain a competitive advantage within the contested urban spaces they occupy. By conceptualising SBs as economic actors, the research shifts the focus from perceiving them as passive recipients of charity to recognising their intentional decision-making and strategic behaviour to maximise financial benefits.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative case study approach, using non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 40 SBs in Kumasi, Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to identify the economic strategies used by SBs to gain a competitive advantage.FindingsThe study reveals three main strategies adopted by SBs: child advertisement, body marketing, and narrative marketing. These strategies emerge from the SBs' contextual understanding of the public’s social protection needs and are used to develop strategies that give them an advantage over other SBs within contested urban streets.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could explore the effectiveness of different economic strategies employed by street beggars and compare their financial outcomes. Investigating the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards these strategies could provide valuable insights.Practical implicationsPolicymakers and city authorities should acknowledge some street begging as an economic activity and develop regulations, designate begging areas, and establish guidelines for acceptable practices. Creating targeted skill training, entrepreneurship programs, and access to microfinance can facilitate the transition of street beggars from begging to more sustainable forms of livelihood.Social implicationsThis study challenges the perception of street beggars as passive victims, highlighting their agency and strategic decision-making. Recognizing their economic strategies can inform policies that regulate begging as an economic activity, create alternative opportunities, and prevent exploitation of vulnerable groups, ultimately promoting more sustainable and dignified livelihoods for street beggars.Originality/valueThis study seeks to enrich the current literature and bridge the research gap by investigating the phenomenon of street begging and the diverse economic strategies street beggars employ to gain a competitive advantage within urban areas. This research moves beyond computing financial income and regulating begging by conceptualizing SBs as economic actors and begging as an economic activity. It explores how SBs use conscious efforts and rational strategies to maximize financial benefits from passers-by and outperform other SBs, providing novel insights into the complex dynamics of street begging.

Street Begging among School Age Children and Social Protection Policy in South western, Nigeria

This study discussed the factors that caused street begging among school age children and investigated social protection policies aimed at eradicating the menace in Southwestern, Nigeria. It also examined the impact of the social protection policies on street begging among school-age children and assessed the challenges confronting social protection interventions. The study’s primary data were sourced through multi-choice structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. The study administered one hundred and fifty copies of questionnaires on teachers, parents, and school age children in Ondo, Oyo and Lagos States. Interviews were conducted with twelve 12 respondents on the basis of four from each state based on their experience of street begging by school-age children and social protection policies meant to tackle the menace. Purposively sampled interviewees were from ministries of education and schools, with two education officials from each of the three states and two school principals from each of the three states. Secondary data were from books, relevant journals, government publications, policy guides, gazettes, and online publications. We analyzed quantitative data with the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools, and qualitative data with content analysis. The study showed poverty, unemployment, broken homes, and poor feeding and other factors as responsible for street begging among school age children. Some of the social protection policies that are in place to eradicate street begging by school-age children in Southwestern Nigeria include Zero Project, Better Education Service Delivery for All, Integrated Qur'anic and Tsangaya Education, and other domesticated policies of the federal government. Social protection policies in Southwestern, Nigeria are impactful in reducing street begging but poor funding, change in government, overstretched facilities, and corruption are some of the challenges militating against them. The study concluded that street begging by school age children in Southwestern, Nigeria is a social menace that requires intensification of existing social protection policies and serious government attention.

Tales of Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Sama-dilaut Tribe: A Squinny on the Community Outreach and Extension Services of RMC Graduate School, Davao City, Philippines

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the livelihood and economic activities of the Sama-Dilaut Tribe, also known as Badjao, residing in Matina Aplaya, Davao City. Specifically, it sought to understand their transition from street beggars to engaged business owners and the impact of their economic endeavors on their quality of life. Study Design: Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this study delved into the lived experiences of the Sama-Dilaut people through in-depth virtual interviews. This design facilitated the extraction of rich narratives and perspectives directly from the participants. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted within the well-established community of the Sama-Dilaut Tribe in Matina Aplaya, Davao City, Philippines. Data collection spanned over one (1) year. Methodology: Face-to-face and Virtual interviews were conducted to explore the personal narratives of the Sama-Dilaut individuals, capturing their journey from street begging to establish themselves as entrepreneurs. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes emerging from the interviews, focusing on their economic activities and resulting improvements in livelihood. Results: Thematic analysis revealed several significant findings regarding the daily activities and economic pursuits of the Sama-Dilaut Tribe. Key themes included the selling of seafood, maintenance of fishing traps, engagement in traditional fishing practices, and involvement in the "ukay-ukay" business to augment income. These activities facilitated an enhanced standard of living, enabling the fulfillment of basic needs, access to education, and adoption of modern amenities. Importantly, the reduction in street begging indicated a shift towards financial independence and self-sustainability among the tribe members. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the transformative journey of the Sama-Dilaut Tribe in Matina Aplaya, Davao City, from marginalized street beggars to empowered entrepreneurs. Their economic activities have not only uplifted their own livelihoods but also contributed to the overall well-being of the community. These findings underscore the importance of community outreach and extension services, such as those provided by the RMC Graduate School, in supporting indigenous peoples toward socio-economic empowerment and sustainable development of the tribe in Davao City, Philippines.

Prevalence of Beggars and Street Children in the City of Sorsogon

This study determined the prevalence of beggars and street children in the City of Sorsogon. It focused on the profile of beggars and street children, the determinants for street begging and presence of street children and the problems encountered as perceived by the respondents. The study is both a quantitative and qualitative descriptive method of research. A survey questionnaire is the main instrument in gathering the data. An unstructured interview was also utilized to supplement the interpretation of the results. The respondents of the study were 153 street children and beggars in the city of Sorsogon. They were purposively and conveniently chosen. The street working children have the age range from 5-15 years old, most of them were male, did not finish their elementary grade, have stayed for 1-5 years, physically fit and Bicolanos. Poverty is the common cause of begging and becoming working street children in Sorsogon City. The respondents perceived being prone to hazards and risk in the streets as the most distressing problems. It is recommended therefore that the different institutions, the local government, church and other institutions may collaborate and extend their knowledge and assistance to these street children and beggars. Further, it is recommended that a sustainable rehabilitation scheme should be endeavoured by the local government, that it would encompass the diverse needs of the beggars and street children and promote the upliftment of their social well-being thus, children should be sent back to school and the government may provide educational provisions to support their educational needs. Create and deliver a responsive and sustainable livelihood program that would promote social progress to help these people alleviate poverty. The church may also conduct education to these children and beggars that would inculcate moral values and uplift their social beings. Intensify the implementation of related policies and strengthen the conduct of activities that would discourage street children and beggars from coming back on the streets.

KASHMIR'S BEGGING INDUSTRY AS A MONEYMAKING VENTURE

It was observed that beggars made up a sizable portion of the population in most urban and rural areas, regardless of the motivations for their chosen profession. They continue to grow as a fascinating phenomenon in all fields of study. This study added to the limited body of research on the topic by looking at the history and health effects of panhandling. Because of the qualitative character of the study, we used a combination of in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and observations made by observers who were not involved in the study. Coverage included the Kashmir valley city of Srinagar. The findings revealed that some of the panhandlers have been operating for almost twenty years. They didn't see beggars as a burden on society but rather as people trying to make a living. Some people resort to begging on the streets since they have few other options for making a living because of their financial situation. Invasion into begging as a means of subsistence was prompted by chronic economic failure. Environmental annoyance and health hazards, as well as a negative portrayal of the country's human development index to foreigners, are all ways in which street begging can have an impact on public health and development. As their population keeps growing, they must keep cutting back on their labour force. As a result, the social welfare system will collapse, leaving people and ecosystems susceptible to the effects of un sustainability.

Islam and human dignity: the plights of Almajiri street children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

This study examines the plight of Almajiri children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria within the context of religion, child rights, and human rights. Under the cover of being placed under an Islamic scholar for purposes of learning the Koran, the future of the Almajirai children has been mortgaged by the absence of proper care and denial of their rights. As a check to community spreading of the deadly coronavirus, the Almajiri children, notorious for street begging and largely found in Northern Nigeria were billed to be evacuated to their respective home states. Rather than moving these children to their home states in northern Nigeria, the majority of them were taken to the southern part of the country thus leading to intergroup disharmony and suspicion. Worried by the above, the study thus interrogates the nexus between the forceful removal and infringement of the rights of children, the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, questionable parenting, and failed governance. The rancor generated from evacuating these children to other parts of Nigeria raises the question of what has gone wrong with parenting and leadership. Sources for writing this paper have been derived from newspapers, journals, and online sources using the descriptive method of analysis.

Teachers without Wages: The Challenges of Tsangaya School Teachers in Kano State Nigeria

Tsangaya teachers are the people who devoted their time, energy and resources for the free and voluntary teaching of the Holy Qur’an to the offspring of their communities in northern Nigeria. Prior to the advent of the colonial administrators in Nigeria, the Qura’nic teachers were the most respected and literate people among the society, and earned reasonable financial remunerations from the traditional rulers and the general populace. But after the forceful conquering of the traditional kingdoms by the British colonialist, the Qura’nic knowledge and the teachers were relegated, and all financial benefits to the Qura’nic schools were cut off, which left them with no option, then to find their fate on the streets. The aim of this paper is to explore the difficult condition of the free services the Tsangaya teachers are rendering to the society. A qualitative method was used to conduct the research, where three schools were purposively selected, one from each of the three senatorial districts of Kano state. The population includes 11 participants which are; 3 Almajiri teachers, three Almajiri parents, three people living with Almajiris, and two government officials. Primary information was sourced through face-face interview strategy, and the result was analysed through the Nvivo10 software application. Findings discovered that the teachers do not get any salary from the government, and the parents usually send their children to the school, to live from elementary level until graduation without paying school fees, rather, the teachers survive through the daily house-house and street begging of money and food by their pupils.

Emotional ‘journey’ of street beggars with vision impairment: a study from Ghana

This study sought to understand the experiences of street beggars with vision impairment in Ghana. The study employed a qualitative research approach specifically phenomenology. Twenty-five (25) participants were purposively sampled from three (3) busy streets in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and data collected was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings showed that visually impaired street beggars experienced personal losses such as jobs, relationships and independence. In addition, the results showed that participants experienced daily challenges with regards to street begging. Further, street beggars with vision impairment reported a range of emotional experiences due to vision loss and street begging. The findings are discussed in relation to enhancing care and management of street beggars with visual impairment in Ghana.

Data Collection in Street Begging Research in Nigeria: The State of the Art and Associated Challenges

Nigeria is among the major countries contending with the social problem of street begging. The pervasiveness of the problem has continually placed it at the front burner of scholarly engagements and intellectual discourse. However, despite the existence of abundant literature on the phenomenon of street begging, the epistemological and methodological issues typically embedded in the process of data elicitation from street beggars in Nigeria are yet to command adequate scholarly attention. Therefore, this article attempted to fill this observed lacuna by focusing on the necessity for data collection on street begging and the major challenges that are associated with data elicitation from street beggars in Nigeria. The paper ascribed the necessity for data collection on street begging to multiple reasons. Language barrier, the fluid nature of street begging, the mobile nature of street beggars, and trust issue are among the major challenges that are associated with data collection on street begging research in Nigeria.

A Qualitative Study of Public Health and Policy Implications of Street Begging in Nigeria

Regardless of the reasons for making begging a vocation, the beggars were noted as constituting a significant population in most cities of Nigeria. They are consistently becoming an interesting phenomenon in every academic discourse. This study, as a modest complement to existing academic efforts, examined the development and public health implications of street begging. It is qualitative in nature, hence the adoption of in-depth and key informant interviews as well as non-participant observation data collection approach. It covered six purposively selected areas with appreciable numbers of beggars in Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The investigated population from these settlements comprised 30 beggars, 16 staff of Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Health, 2 journalists, and 7 residents of the areas where beggars’ joints were located. The data collected was treated with content analysis. The results showed that some of the beggars have been in the act for more than 3 decades. They viewed begging as a legitimate occupation rather than a nuisance to the society. Relative deprivation led some people to adopt street begging as a means of making a livelihood. Recurring business failure influenced the incursion into begging as a means of survival. The development and public health implications of street begging come in the form of environmental nuisance and health hazards, poor image of human development index in the country to the outsiders. With incessant increase in their population, consistent reduction of the percentage of productive forces becomes the order of the day. This consequently implies a breakdown in social welfare system and vulnerable socio-environmental system where unsustainability thrives.

Deploying Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Understanding the Missing Link and Requisite Legal Regime to Resolve the Almajiri System Challenge

The various efforts of the Federal Government and its agencies together with international institutions at integrating the Almajiri education into contemporary education in Nigeria or mainstreaming the Almajiri system into the nation’s educational system have not achieved the desired objectives. The failure of relevant policy makers could be traced to their solution-strategies, which did not give adequate considerations to the historical realities of the Almajiri system; to the constitutional obligation of government to provide free and compulsory basic education to its school age citizens; and to a genuine stakeholder buy-in of Almajiri school operators. Using a doctrinal research methodology that leaned more on official narrative, institutional publications as well as Internet resources and online blogs, the paper looked at Almajiri concept, reviewed the legal framework underpinning basic education rights in Nigeria, and explored the various attempts at mainstreaming the Almajiri system. The paper discovered that the solution-strategies to deal with the Almajiri challenge are premised on a jaundiced notion of the Almajiri system, which is commonly viewed as a source of terrorists and criminal gangs recruitments, and the underestimation of the capacity of Almajiri school operators to lead the process. The paper found that the risk analyses of the solution strategies were not adequate and comprehensive enough with the attendant consequence of increased suspicion between the government and Almajiri school operators. The paper therefore recommended a partnership arrangement built on mutual respect among the three stakeholders, namely, the government, the Almajiri school operators and the Almajiri parents as well as a partnership on the basis of shared responsibilities, shared resources and shared rewards under which the operators or their immediate communities will take a commanding heights in the operation and management of the Almajiri schools. This type of arrangement is a good candidate for Pro-Poor Public Private Partnership (PPPPP), which is commonly used in many jurisdictions to serve the neglected part of the populations. In this respect, the paper recommends the Charter School model, which the United States established to cater for the educationally underserved and neglected among its citizens. If implemented, the twin incidences of out-of-school children and Almajiri Street begging will greatly reduced, thereby positively impacting to the social, political and economic sectors of the Nigerian society.

The Menace of Street Begging Is A Necessary Evil to Breed Crime In Ghana

The Menace of Street Begging Is A Necessary Evil to Breed Crime In Ghana

Effect of Almijiri on Conflict in Kaduna State

Purpose: The empirical study assessed the Effect of Almijiri on Conflict in Kaduna State.
 Methodology: The culture of poverty theory by Oscar Lewis (1966) was employed to analyze the social cultural factors influencing the system of Almijiri in Kaduna state. Survey design was adopted for the study. 252 Almijirai, malamai, and members of the public were selected using a simple random sampling via lottery across six Local Government Areas in the state. Regression analysis and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to measure the relationship between the dependent variable (conflict) and the independent variable Almijiri (proxy by Street Begging and Poverty).
 Findings: The findings from Analysis of Variance showed a significant positive relationship between street begging and conflict in Kaduna state (48%). Also, poverty has a positive and significant relationship with conflict in Kaduna state (49%).
 Recommendation: The study recommends appropriate measures like the Universal Basic Education Act and the Tsangaya Model School should be fully implemented by the government to harness and galvanize the system with modern and inclusive education.

Relationship between Home Environment and Child Deviant Behaviours in Rivers State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between home environment and child deviant behaviours in Rivers state, Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational research design. A stratified non-proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 300 married teachers’ having children under their care. The mean and standard deviation were evaluated. Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation was used to test the hypotheses using the Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS). Results from the study showed that there is a significant relationship between home environment variables such as family socioeconomic status, poor attitude of extended family members’ and home media and Deviant Behaviour. The result from this study also showed that poor attitudes of extended family members such as smoking, gossiping, bad advice, over pampering and moral bankrupt will negatively affect the child. The findings also revealed that uncontrolled television viewing, addiction to games, exposure to pornography through unregulated home media, school absenteeism, uncontrolled use of internet at home and unregulated television viewing can have negative effects on the child. Furthermore, the family economic status such as inability to provide basic needs by parents, family poverty and unmet needs can result to deviant behaviours such as stealing, disrespect and street begging in children. It is therefore recommended that families should be sensitized on the destructive aspects of the extended family structure on child behaviours. In addition, families should regulate the use of home media by children.

Juvenile delinquency dimension of child labour: implications for human and capital development in Nigeria

Juvenile delinquency and child labour are related social problems that today plague Nigeria. They both affect young boys and girls, some of whom are children (juveniles). Among these juveniles are children who have been involved in criminal behavior like gangism, banditry, thuggery, drug sales and abuse behaviors which are sometimes developed from participation in child labour activities which have become severe in Nigeria. Majority of these activities take the form of street hawking in the Southern part of the country, and street begging in its northern part by children addressed as Almajirai. These problems if allowed to remain will compromise and jeopardize not only the future of the child, but also that of the nation, Nigeria. Thus this study investigates juvenile delinquency as predated by child labour with a view to explaining causality and effects. Particularly, as it relates to human and capital development, and to make suggestions towards finding solutions.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AMONG ELDERLY ADULTS WITH DISABILITY: IMPLICATION FOR ACCESS TO SOCIAL BENEFITS

Late-life has traditionally been regarded as a time for relaxation and reflection upon the time spent in life. However, this experience is often not the case for older adults in developing countries. Despite the growing numbers of older adults and efforts to support this population, there continue to be significant setbacks emerging from a lack of policy sensitivity and numerous implementation challenges, especially for older adults with physical disabilities who seek to access social benefits. Many older adults with disabilities continue to experience diverse social, cultural, and economic challenges spanning from financial insecurity, social isolation, mental and physical health needs, and elder abuse. These challenges, confounded with the presence of a disability, may result in older adults taking up laboured activities, such as street begging in urban environments around the country or engage in subsistence farming as a coping mechanism to challenges they face in late-life. This paper looks into the characteristics of older adults Ghana and policies that affect their access to social benefits. Recommendations in this paper include a call for the Government of Ghana to revise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and focus on challenges associated with reports of corrupt practices among appointees in the distribution of disability funds through local government structures. Keywords: Disability, older adults, Ghana, social benefits, retirement.

Do Voters Follow? The Effect of Party Cues on Public Opinion During a Process of Policy Change

A large body of literature has demonstrated how citizens use party endorsements when shaping their policy opinions. However, recent studies question the centrality of party cues in shaping public opinion. This study advances the literature with a four‐wave panel survey design that measures citizens’ policy opinions before, during and after a controversial policy proposal to ban street begging was made by the Norwegian government in 2014. Two main findings inform previous work. First, voters are modestly affected by party cues as the proposition turns salient. Second, when a party shifts their policy position on a highly salient issue, voters do not automatically shift their opinions accordingly. Thus, the magnitude and direction of opinion change in the electorate indicate that party cue effects are modest and that instead of polarizing patterns across time parallel publics moving in the same direction independent of party cues are detected. These findings demonstrate that under some conditions, voters’ opinion formation is less dependent on partisan elites than much of the previous work indicates.

Reproductive health challenges of male and female street beggars and use of reproductive health services by female street beggars in Ife-Ijesa, Nigeria

Objectives The aims of the study were to investigate the reproductive health challenges in Nigeria of male and female street beggars and the use of reproductive health services by female street beggars. Methods The study had a cross-sectional descriptive design. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, designed by the authors, was used to elicit information from 100 male and female street beggars recruited over a 4 week period in Ife-Ijesa zone, south-western Nigeria. Information was obtained about male and female participants’ reproductive health challenges (symptoms and issues) and female participants’ use of reproductive health services. Results More than a third of participants were aged ≥60 years (37%), 57% were men, 82% were from the Hausa tribe and 92% were Muslims. The main reasons given for street begging were poverty (30%) and physical handicap (66%). Although most of the street beggars were aware of the availability of reproductive health services (81%) and where to access them (89%), only a small proportion of female street beggars had given birth in hospital (9.3%) and family planning services (32.6%). Conclusion Street beggars are a poor and vulnerable group with reproductive health challenges. They have difficulty accessing reproductive health services because of physical disabilities and related low socioeconomic status.

Exploitation Of Street-Having Children In Medan, North Sumatera Province

Street beggar children are children who are actually excluded, marginalized and alienated from the treatment of affection because at a relatively early age already dealing with a harsh city environment. Street beggar children usually do activities on the streets such as, begging at the intersection of red lights, on the edge of a strategic road, at the location of the tax or market. The problem in this research is, how the Medan City Government's efforts to deal with street begging children, what actions are given to those who commercialize street beggar children. To obtain data used in-depth interview research techniques, observation and documentation. While the data analysis mechanism is done by data reduction and data presentation. Based on the results of research that, efforts to deal with street beggars in the city of Medan have not been maximized. Seems like just a formality for an annual activity report. Likewise, the facilities and facilities for street begging children in the Punge Binjai Orphanage are still far from expectations. Even this building is owned by the North Sumatra Provincial Social Service while the Medan City Social Service is not available until October 2019. Actions for the exploiters of street beggar children are not available, only in the form of warnings, guidance from the Social Service. The personal data of the exploiters of street begging children, both individuals and groups, are known to the Medan City Social Service, but do not have the authority to make arrests. For the task of arrest has been submitted to the police, but strict action in the form of body detention has never been done