Contributing Factors to Begging and Psychosocial Problems of Migrant Beggars of Ankasha Woreda Engaged in Begging on the Streets of Addis Ababa
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2017-10
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Abstract
This study examined the contributing factors to begging and the psychosocial problems of
migrant beggars who came from Ankahsa woreda Awi zone Amhara regional state. It was
conducted in Addis Ketema sub city woreda 3 kebele 32 with ten able body individuals who were
practicing begging on the streets of Addis Ababa. The study was a qualitative study, which
employed case study as a research design. Data were collected through semi structured
interview and observation. The respondents were selected using snowball sampling technique.
Then after, the data were analyzed and described using thematic approach. The major
contributing factors were economic, social, political and temporary health related factors that
push beggars to instigate begging. Among the pushing factors, economic factors plays great role
that the respondents migrated and engaged in begging on the street due to extreme poverty. In
addition, the attitude of almsgivers and the visible changes of beggars who come from the home
region were pulling factors that attract the attention of respondents to perform and involve in
begging on the street of Addis Ababa. As a result of doing begging on the street, the respondents
have developed different psychological and social problems. The major psychological problems
they encountered were shame and guilty feeling, verbal abuse, identity crisis and stress. The
social problems beggars encountered were conflict, isolation, limited social interaction,
discrimination and low sense of community. In the attempt of getting sympathy and attention, the
respondents found to employ variety of tactics and strategies simultaneously in terms of what to
say, how to act and when to beg.
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Begging: Psychological and Social Problems of Beggars